Bank wants almost half of housing fund to go to regions

Feb 13, 2024

**Certainty:** Bendigo and Adelaide Bank chief executive and managing director Marnie Baker says ensuring regional Australia receives its fair share from the Housing Australia Future Fund will help ensure other investment follows.

With many regions around the country, such as the Goulburn Valley, experiencing housing crises, the Bendigo and Adelaide Bank has called on the Federal Government to quarantine almost half of the Housing Australia Future Fund for regional Australia.

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“We would like to see 40 per cent of the HAFF directed to regional Australia to support population growth, address the regional housing crisis and unlock the economic potential of Australia’s regional communities,” Bendigo and Adelaide Bank chief executive and managing director Marnie Baker said.

“We are also calling on the government to unite with state and local governments to unlock the critical enabling infrastructure that will ensure new homes are connected to the services that are essential to keeping regional Australia a great place to live.”

Ms Baker said the measures were important to ensure regional Australia received its “fair share” of the fund.

“I’m proud to call regional Australia home,” she said.

“As Australia’s only regionally headquartered, ASX-listed bank, we play an important role in addressing the supply-side challenges of the housing crisis.

“Quarantining 40 per cent of the HAFF will provide the certainty the public and private sectors need to funnel investment to where it is needed most.“