The Australian Government is seeking ways to make more community housing available to those finding it increasingly difficult to rent affordable homes.

ABC News' political reporter, Stephanie Anderson, writes:

Low income earners struggling with rent could soon get a helping hand from the Commonwealth as it works towards a government bank to fund community housing.

The Government is flagging action on affordable housing amid an ongoing political battle over the issue.

It is establishing a taskforce to design a government lender that would provide cheap loans to community housing organisations...

On the first day of a beautiful Melbourne Autumn morning, heartfelt messages of hope were left for homeless young people in Melton.

Since 2015 Woodgrove Shopping Centre has partnered with Hope Street to fight youth homelessness in the West. With the success of the Tree of Hope has come the Letters of Hope which was unveiled on 01 March. The installation, located at the Grove outside the Bank of Melbourne entry, is comprised of four letters: H-O-P-E. Colourful keytags obtained from Woodgrove or participating retailers for a gold coin donation, have a personal message written upon them and are then attached to one of the letters.

On 24 February 2017, the first meeting of the Hope Street in Whittlesea's Advisory Committee was held at the Office of Lily D'Ambrosio MP, in partnership with a broad range of organisations. The advisory group provides guidance in supporting young people in our Hope to Home in Whittlesea pilot program.

Late last year Hope Street welcomed the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation's commitment to our new pilot program. As one of their 2016 Innovation Grant Recipients, Hope Street is able to support young people and young families as they transition into a place they can call home that is affordable, sustainable and long-term. The Foundation has a strong focus on being part of a community wide response to addressing homelessness through their support of innovative early intervention projects and affordable housing initiatives.