Cost of Living

Cost of living is hitting people in our community hard. I want you to know that you are not alone.

housing

240421_Rental Taskforce Caucus - Apartment.jpg

The Victorian Homebuyer Fund supports people to enter home ownership. If you have a 5% deposit, we’ll chip in up to 25% of the purchase price for a share in the property - which you buy back over time, interest-free.

Council Rates have been capped at 2.75 per cent for 2024-25.

housing assistance

Enquires relating to DFFH Housing should be raised with the Local Housing Office in the first instance. This includes maintenance requests, VHR application updates and DFFH tenant complaints.
Preston Housing Office
679/685 High St, Preston VIC 3072
1300 598 521
preston.housing@dffh.vic.gov.au
Collingwood Housing Office
229 Hoddle Street, Collingwood VIC 3066
1300 598 521
Collingwood.housing@dffh.vic.gov.au
If you have an enquiry relating to community or social housing, it must first be directed to the community housing provider.
If the provider does not address the issue, the next step is to lodge a formal complaint with the Victorian Housing Registrar.
A complete list of community housing agencies can be found here: https://www.homes.vic.gov.au/community-housing-agencies.
Crisis Accommodation
1800 825 955
Monday to Friday, 5 pm to 9 am and 24 hours on weekends and public holidays.
Haven: Home, Safe – Preston
52-56 Mary Street, Preston 3072
https://havenhomesafe.org.au/
Launch Housing
https://www.launchhousing.org.au/get-help
Enquires regarding renting and your rights as a tentant, should be directed to the team at Consumer Affairs Victoria.

Click here for mental health & family violence supports.

Energy and bill relief

The Victorian Government also offers up to 50% off their annual water and sewerage bill to eligible pensioners and health care card holders:
Help paying your bills (water.vic.gov.au)

The Victorian Government’s Utility Relief Grant Scheme offers relief grants for paying overdue energy or water bills to help low-income Victorians experiencing unexpected hardship:
Utility relief grant scheme - DFFH Services

Rebates and interest free loans are available for installing solar panels:
Solar panel (PV) rebate | solar.vic.gov.au

Rebates for installing solar batteries:
Solar battery loans | solar.vic.gov.au

Victorian Energy Compare allows you to compare your energy bills to ensure you are getting the best deal:
https://compare.energy.vic.gov.au/

DIVRS
www.divrs.org.au
03 9480 8200
Bridge Darebin
www.bridgedarebin.org.au
03 9484 5806
Jika Jika Community Centre
www.jikajika.org.au
03 9482 5100
SPAN Community House
www.spanhouse.org
03 9480 1364
Thornbury Church of Christ
www.thornburychurch.org.au
03 9484 2918
Victorian Aboriginal Childcare Agency
www.vacca.org
03 9287 8800