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ASPIRING HOMEOWNERS AT RISK OF LOSING VITAL GRANTS UNDER LABOR
THE HON MICHAEL SUKKAR MP
Shadow Minister for Social Services
Shadow Minister for NDIS
Shadow Minister for Housing
Shadow Minister for Homelessness
MEDIA RELEASE
16 March 2023
ASPIRING HOMEOWNERS AT RISK OF LOSING VITAL GRANTS UNDER LABOR
The highly successful HomeBuilder program, a scheme which continues to support thousands of new home buyers and builders, is at risk under the Albanese Labor Government.
Hundreds of aspiring homeowners across the country could lose grants of up to $25,000 due to supply constraints and unanticipated delays in the construction of homes. Other delays also include administrative delays at the state and local government level.
The HomeBuilder program gave Australians confidence and support to build or rebuild a home during a period of great uncertainty, as well as protect jobs and boost economic activity in the construction industry. This highly successful program has had over 137,000 successful applications generating $120 billion of economic activity.
With the 30 April 2023 deadline fast approaching for HomeBuilder applicants to provide supporting documentation, including evidence of construction commencement, the Coalition is calling on the Albanese Government to urgently provide an extension of time to all existing applicants to ensure they don’t miss out on receiving their grants due to unique circumstances that are beyond their control.
On 17 April 2021, the previous Coalition Government provided an extension of time to HomeBuilder applicants, allowing an additional 12 months to commence construction from the date that the building contract was signed, and we implore this Government to do the same.
During this cost-of-living crisis, and with the added pressure of housing supply shortages, participants in the HomeBuilder program should not have to face financial hardship or have their projects jeopardised because the Labor Government refuses to make this minor administrative change.
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