Australia

Quick Facts

Individuals served in FY22: 485

• Through new construction –20
• Through repairs – 730

Volunteers engaged in FY22: 3,709

Other facts:

• Capital: Canberra
• Population: Over 26.1 million
• Life expectancy: 83.7 years
• Unemployment rate: 3.7 percent

Source: World Bank

Habitat for Humanity in Australia

Habitat for Humanity’s Australian programs are delivered through State Partners in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Queensland. Habitat works with low-income families to achieve the dream of building and owning their own safe, secure home. In Australia, Habitat also assists disadvantaged families through its repair and maintenance program, Brush with Kindness. Internationally, Habitat Australia works in partnership with communities across the Asia-Pacific region to address housing poverty and to support integrated community development. Habitat Australia and its partners are currently working in Bangladesh, Cambodia, Fiji, Myanmar, Nepal and Vietnam.

The housing need in Australia

Australia has a deficit of more than 600,000 homes and that shortfall is projected to be in excess of 1 million by 2036. According to national statistical data in 2021, 122,494 people were experiencing homelessness, an increase of 6,067 people or 5.2% since 2016. The cost of land, materials and construction has continued to rise, especially in the capital cities and major regional centers. About 1.5 million renters are living in poverty due to significant increases in private rental costs, based on a 2022 reportby the Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre. In late 2022, the government unveiled a National Housing AccordAustralia has a deficit of more than 600,000 homes and that shortfall is projected to be in excess of 1 million by 2036. According to national statistical data in 2021, 122,494 people were experiencing homelessness, an increase of 6,067 people or 5.2% since 2016. The cost of land, materials and construction has continued to rise, especially in the capital cities and major regional centers. About 1.5 million renters are living in poverty due to significant increases in private rental costs, based on a 2022 report by the Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre. In late 2022, the government unveiled a National Housing Accord that aims to build 1 million homes in five years. However, a key industry body has forecast a shortfall in 200,000 new homes that are required annually to meet that target.  that aims to build 1 million homes in five years. However, a key industry body has forecast a shortfall in 200,000 new homes that are required annually to meet that target.

How Habitat addresses the need in Australia

New home constructions

To date, Habitat for Humanity Australia and the low-income families we partner with have together built over 220 homes. This is made possible through the donation of money, construction materials and land, and the contribution of volunteer labor. Future homeowners contribute 500 hours of their own time in the planning and construction phases. This is called “sweat equity” and is recognized in the 5% discount on market value that is returned to them. Families partner with Habitat in the construction of their homes, building an average of 10 homes a year in Australia. We have also begun the construction of domestic violence shelters to increase impact in Australia.

Volunteer-based programs

Habitat Australia runs Brush with Kindness activities across New South Wales, South Australia, Queensland and Victoria states. The volunteer-based program addresses the shelter needs of vulnerable groups including young people recovering from drugs and alcohol abuse, women escaping domestic violence, and newly arrived refugees. It also serves as a vehicle for engaging corporate volunteer teams in a “backyard blitz” style activity. Habitat currently mobilizes about 400 volunteers per year through the Brush with Kindness program. New programs include Bushfire Resilience Program where volunteers can support families in Australia who are risk of losing their properties to future disasters. With the resumption of Habitat’s Global Village program in Asia-Pacific, Australian volunteers will be building homes with families in Cambodia and Vietnam.

Developing holistic communities

Habitat Australia’s international program is designed to address multi-dimensional aspects of poverty and recognizes the key role adequate housing plays in sustainable development. The program is targeted at both the community and sectoral levels and works to address needs at multiple stages on the housing value chain. It includes projects focused on water, sanitation and hygiene, disaster risk reduction, urban development, market development and land tenure. Together with its partners, Habitat Australia supports projects in Bangladesh, Cambodia, Fiji, Myanmar, Nepal and Vietnam.