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Six regional Victorian community legal services have welcomed $2.7 million in funding for a new project that will map the unique housing challenges facing regional, rural and remote communities, enhance service coordination and advocate for evidence-based investment.
Led by Bendigo and Shepparton-based ARC Justice, the Collaborate for Change: Advancing Housing Justice in Regional Victoria project today received funding from the Victorian Legal Services Board and Commissioner’s Advancing Housing Justice Change Grant program.
The project brings together ARC Justice, Ballarat and Grampians Community Legal Service, Barwon Community Legal Service, Gippsland Community Legal Service, Hume Riverina Community Legal Service and Mallee Family Care’s Community Legal Centre.
Recognising gaps in existing statewide housing justice efforts, the collaboration aims to enhance service delivery by leveraging the combined capacity and capability of regional centres. By building on local, community sector partnerships, the project seeks to improve access to legal and complementary services and advocate for the needs of the 25% of Victoria’s population residing in regional, rural and remote areas. This initiative aims to create a more effective, tailored response for these communities.
ARC Justice CEO Damian Stock said the funding recognises that housing pressures in regional Victoria require locally driven solutions.
“Housing stress and homelessness are growing in regional Victoria, but the solutions aren’t one-size-fits-all. This funding will allow regional legal and other community services to map the challenges in their communities and work together to push for meaningful change,” Stock said.
A key feature of the two-year project will be a regional housing summit in 2026. This summit will bring together place-based legal services, community organisations, and decision-makers to share insights, identify solutions and strengthen the push for systemic change in support of regional renters and others experiencing the housing crisis.
Each of the six community legal services will have a Housing Collaboration Coordinator to drive regional action plans, ensuring housing justice responses reflect the realities of local communities. Additionally, the project will fund a Project Lead and an Impact and Evaluation Coordinator.
Barwon Community Legal Service CEO Bryanna Connell said that by working together, the sector will be able to transform how decision-makers understand the impact of the housing crisis on regional communities and push for long-term solutions.
“This funding is a game-changer. It acknowledges that the most effective way to address housing injustice in regional Victoria is by listening to the people and organisations on the ground. By providing them with the necessary resources and fostering collaboration, we can drive real, impactful change.” Connell said.
About the project
Collaborate for Change: Advancing Housing Justice in Regional Victoria is a two-year project bringing together six regional community legal services to address housing challenges. It will map local issues, strengthen advocacy and host a regional housing summit in 2026. Funding will support dedicated roles to drive community-led solutions and push for better housing policies.
About the project partners
- ARC Justice is a rights-based, for-purpose organisation incorporating the Loddon Campaspe Community Legal Centre and Housing Justice, a specialist renter support program based in Bendigo, and the Goulburn Valley Community Legal Centre in Shepparton. arcjustice.org.au
- Ballarat and Grampians Community Legal Service is a for-purpose organisation with offices in Ballarat and Horsham that provides free legal services, community legal education, law reform, and integrated services. bgcls.org.au
- Barwon Community Legal Service provides free legal information, advice and casework to the Greater Geelong, Bellarine Peninsula, Surf Coast and Colac Otway communities. barwoncommunitylegal.org.au
- Gippsland Community Legal Service is a Morwell-based Community Legal Centre and service of Anglicare Victoria. It also has lawyers based in Bairnsdale and Wonthaggi. gcls.org.au
- Hume Riverina Community Legal Service is a service of Upper Murray Family Care and offers free legal advice to people in north-east Victoria and the southern Riverina of New South Wales. hrcls.org.au
- Mallee Family Care is a place-based organisation committed to fostering resilient families and thriving children in the Mallee region. It runs a Community Legal Centre from Mildura, which provides outreach services to Swan Hill, Kerang, Robinvale and Dareton. malleefamilycare.org.au
Media contacts
Erin Delahunty
ARC Justice Communications Lead
0460 778 751
erind@arcjustice.org.au
Bryanna Connell
Barwon Community Legal Service CEO
0411 343 722
bryanna.connell@barwoncommunitylegalservice.org.au
