Overview
HAFF Round 3 is the current active funding round under HAFF – Social and Affordable. Launched on 30 January 2026, it is the largest funding round to date. It is a non-competitive, open process where applications can be submitted at any time while funding remains available.
Current status
Applications for Housing Diversity (Stream 2) and Partnerships at Scale (Stream 4) have now exceeded available dwelling allocations. Successful Expressions of Interest (EOIs) have been invited to progress to the Detailed Application Phase. Some EOIs currently on the waitlist may also be invited to progress if earlier submissions are unsuccessful or withdrawn.
EOIs can still be submitted. However, due to high demand, new applications will be placed on a waitlist. Funding and dwelling allocations from unsuccessful applications will be reallocated to the next eligible applicants in the queue.
For the First Nations stream, funding allocations in New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria have been fully exhausted. Eligible EOIs for these jurisdictions may be placed on a waitlist and considered if funding becomes available.
Funding Round 3 Objectives
Funding Round 3 supports the delivery of 21,350 well-located, high-quality homes that provide value for money and long-term community benefit.
Priorities for this Round include:
- Closing the gap: Support more homes being owned by First Nations led organisations with $600m ringfenced funding and a dedicated funding stream. In addition, 10% of all social housing across relevant funding streams must be allocated to First Nations households
- Keys in doors: Delivery certainty targeting support to homes that will be delivered in a timely way, seeking rolling completions from 2027 and all homes complete by June 2029
- Geographic distribution: Reach a minimum of 1,200 homes in each state and territory, with strong regional representation
- Well located homes: Fund well-located projects that improve liveability, responding to acute housing needs
- Enduring community value: Support proposals that demonstrate value for money and create long-term community value through Community Housing Providers and other eligible funding recipients
- Impactful partnerships: Encouraging collaboration across investors, developers, builders and delivery partners to maximise outcomes.
Eligibility
Eligible organisations vary depending on the Stream, and include:
- Registered Community Housing Provider (CHP)
- Charity with a primary purpose of improving housing outcomes for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people
- Charity with a primary purpose of improving housing outcomes for former or current members of the Australian Defence Force
- State and Territory government
- Local government.
How to apply
- Register for an account on the Housing Australia Portal (HAP) here.
- Review the Round 3 documents that are available in the HAP, including the Call for Submissions and FAQs. You can ask additional questions through the Q&A facility in the HAP. Consider all this information carefully before proceeding.
- Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) in the HAP under the relevant stream. EOIs are assessed on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Successful EOI applicants will be invited to submit a Detailed Application in the HAP.
- Housing Australia will notify applicants of the outcome.
First Nations Concierge
Support for applicants
First Nations Concierge
Market briefing materials and webinar recordings
Access supporting materials that provide a high-level overview to support applicants.