Unlocking Housing Through Homeshare

Australia faces a housing challenge but part of the solution already exists. Across our communities, thousands of spare bedrooms are sitting empty. Homeshare unlocks this under-utilised housing by creating mutually beneficial living arrangements that provide affordable accommodation, practical support and stronger community connections.

HANZA is leading advocacy to position Homeshare as part of the housing solution, including progressing Recommendation 30 from the Victorian Parliament’s Inquiry into the Supply of Homes in Regional Victoria.

Turning Recommendation 30 into Action - The housing solution hiding in plain sight

As governments across Australia look for new ways to address the housing crisis, there is growing recognition that we also need to make better use of the homes we already have. Homeshare unlocks under-utilised housing by matching people with a spare room with carefully matched home seekers, creating affordable, mutually beneficial living arrangements that strengthen communities, reduce social isolation and improve wellbeing.

Recognising this opportunity, HANZA made a submission to the Victorian Parliament’s Inquiry into the Supply of Homes in Regional Victoria in March 2025, advocating for Homeshare as part of the housing solution. We were delighted that the Committee recognised the potential of Homeshare through Recommendation 30:

RECOMMENDATION 30: That the Victorian Government support the formation of a statewide framework for homeshare programs and the establishment of regional pilot programs requiring partnerships with local governments, health services or other community organisations.

Since the Inquiry, HANZA has continued to build on this momentum by developing a Draft Homeshare Framework and Budget Proposal to support the Victorian Government and sector partners in implementing Recommendation 30.

The Victorian Government’s response, released in June 2026, confirmed that Recommendation 30 is under review while it considers governance, safeguarding, tenancy arrangements and a coordinated approach to implementation. HANZA welcomes this response. These are all key elements addressed in our proposed Framework and Budget Proposal, positioning HANZA to support the next stage of this important 

RELATED DOCUMENTS

Victorian Government Response (June 2026)

Read the Government’s response confirming Recommendation 30 is under review and outlining the key implementation considerations.

https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/49badc/contentassets/5aade6a7d1be4402a372b6692c74499a/victorian-government-response-to-the-parliamentary-inquiry-into-the-supply-of-homes-in-regional-victoria-final.pdf

HANZA Submission to the Victorian Parliament’s Inquiry (March 2025)

Read how HANZA made the case for Homeshare as an innovative, community-based solution to regional housing challenges.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xlgSb3av-qfLnsSUb8ZG-to6GOKSTMIe/view?usp=drivesdk