Real Deal Geelong Secures $500M Housing Commitment from Feds

Richard Marles, local Member for Corio and Deputy PM and local leaders Julie Saylor-Briggs (left) and Esther Koning-Oakes (right) at the Forum in November

The Federal Government in Australia has announced a $500 million commitment for social housing upgrades, a direct outcome of the advocacy and organising efforts of our affiliate Real Deal Geelong in Victoria. This commitment follows the forum convened by Real Deal Geelong in November, where Deputy Prime Minister and Member for Corio, Richard Marles, engaged with local leaders on critical housing issues and was urged to take action.

At the forum, Real Deal Geelong secured Marles' commitment to audit Commonwealth Government land for potential social housing development and to facilitate meetings with State and Federal Housing Ministers to discuss broader structural reforms. These include Mandatory Inclusionary Zoning to ensure fair distribution of social housing and the Ground Lease Model to establish more sustainable funding mechanisms. Additionally, he pledged to advocate for household energy upgrades and electrification as part of a just transition across all housing tenures.

The forum was instrumental in forcing government action and solidifying a productive relationship between Real Deal Geelong and Richard Marles. In the days following the event, Marles personally acknowledged its impact, highlighting the strength of community engagement. This relationship has since enabled key leaders to secure a meeting with his Parliamentary office at short notice to discuss details of the Renew Australia For All campaign package. Given Marles' influential role on both the ALP Election Campaign Budget Committee and the Parliamentary Budget Committee, these discussions are critical in shaping Federal Budget decisions and election commitments.

IAF Pacific is proud of the leadership and determination of our affiliate Real Deal Geelong, whose tireless advocacy continues to drive meaningful housing policy reforms. With an upcoming meeting with Marles scheduled, the focus remains on ensuring that the commitments secured at the forum translate into concrete action. Collective efforts will persist in holding decision-makers accountable and keeping housing justice at the forefront of national policy discussions.