National Housing Infrastructure Facility Social and Affordable Housing (NHIF SAH)

Loans and grants.

What is the NHIF SAH?

Housing Australia provides concessional loans, grants or combination of to directly support new social and affordable housing. 

More information about the NHIF for housing enabling critical infrastructure (NHIF CI) is available here
 

Update on Housing Australia funding product rebrand

Programs moving under HAFF – Social and Affordable 

The Australian Government, in partnership with Housing Australia, is streamlining its social and affordable housing funding programs to make it easier for applicants to access support.  

As part of this change, the following programs will be consolidated HAFF - Social and Affordable:

  • National Housing Infrastructure Facility - Social and Affordable Housing (NHIF SAH)
  • Housing Australia Future Fund Facility (HAFFF) and National Housing Accord Facility (NHAF)
  • Affordable Housing Bond Aggregator (AHBA)

These changes are being introduced in phases to ensure a smooth transition. Current contracts, EOIs, and applications under assessment will not be affected, and existing program operations, funding arrangements and eligibility criteria remain unchanged at this time. We will continue to provide updates on our website and LinkedIn.

How it works

The NHIF’s purpose has been expanded by the Australian Government to enable Housing Australia to use the funds for social and affordable housing needs in addition to critical infrastructure. 

What can NHIF SAH finance be used for?

NHIF SAH finance can be used for:

Constructing new social and affordable housing stock
Acquisition and conversion of housing stock to social and affordable housing
Mixed tenure developments will also be considered subject to lending criteria

How does the funding work? 

Eligible applicants can apply for finance for NHIF SAH concessional loans, grants or combination of. In general, grants will only be provided with a loan as part of a blended financing arrangement. In exceptional circumstances, grants alone of up to $3 million will be considered.   


Eligibility criteria

The following applicants may apply for finance through the NHIF SAH:

  • Registered community housing providers 

  • State or territory governments or government-owned corporations 

  • Local governments or local-government owned corporations 

  • Incorporated special purpose vehicles that have at least one eligible foundation member (as above). 

Key application information

Find out more about applying for NHIF SAH finance.

NHIF SAH Guidelines

Read the Guidelines first to find out more about the application process, terms and conditions.

View the guidelines

NHIF disclosure

We disclose approved and committed NHIF financing.

See our Reports and Publications page for more information.

Find out more

Next steps

If you are interested in applying for NHIF SAH finance, contact the Housing Australia team.

Contact us