The Albanese Labor Government’s Social Housing Accelerator Program (SHAP) is set to deliver 4,251 new social homes—exceeding its original target of 4,000.
Agreed to by National Cabinet in 2023, the $2 billion program is helping states and territories build more social housing for Australians most in need.
This stronger-than-expected outcome means an extra 600 Australians could have a safe and secure place to live.
Importantly the number of homes expected to be delivered for First Nations households has also increased by one-third—from 320 to 427 homes.
SHAP delivery progress
- 1,057 homes have been completed, up 839 since the last report (25 per cent of the total target), with major completions across NSW (580), VIC (146), QLD (110), WA (192)
- 3,194 homes under construction or committed, with a further 26 per cent to be completed by June 2026
- 427 homes (10 per cent) delivered for First Nations households, up from 320 originally committed
The SHAP is just one part of the Albanese Government’s broader housing plan to increase the supply of housing across Australia, which includes:
- Galvanising national action on housing through the National Housing Accord target of 1.2m homes, signed by states and territory governments.
- Delivering 55,000 social and affordable homes with more than 5,000 already complete and another 25,000 in planning or construction.
- $3 billion New Homes Bonus to encourage states and territories to build more homes.
- Tax changes to unlock 80,000 long-term rentals under Build-to-Rent reforms.
- Free TAFE construction courses and a $10,000 apprenticeship bonus to train the tradies we need to build more homes.
- Modular and pre-fab housing investments to build more homes, more quickly.
- Pausing and streamlining the National Construction Code to build more homes, more quickly
The Statement of Assurance, which details the SHAP’s progress in full can be found here.
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Housing, Homelessness & Cities, Minister Clare O’Neil:
“We said we would build more homes, and that’s what we’re delivering”
“Building social housing isn’t an add-on. It isn’t a ‘nice to have’. It’s a critical part of a well-functioning housing system – and it’s something that only Labor delivers.
“These are really positive developments that show that we’re making good progress on rebuilding our social housing stock after an entire decade where the Coalition only managed to build 373.
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator Malarndirri McCarthy:
“Improving access to social housing for First Nations people is a critical part of our work in Closing the Gap.
“I am so pleased to see an increase in the number of homes to be delivered to an additional 100 First Nations families, from 320 to 427.”
Quotes attributable to Special Envoy for Social Housing and Homelessness, Josh Burns:
“Every home matters, and these homes are more than just sets of keys. They mean safety, stability, and dignity for Australians who need it most.
“This is what’s possible when we take housing seriously and when all levels of government work together to make a difference.”