Flexible funds and Housing Establishment Fund (HEF) buy a range of private accommodation. This includes rooming houses and motels. Specialist homelessness services (SHS) need to complete due diligence before using private accommodation providers.
Consumer Affairs Victoria and the relevant local government area authorities regulate prescribed accommodation, including those listed below.
SHS must raise concerns about building or facility safety with the local council that issued the occupancy permit.
If there is an issue with an accommodation provider that isn’t resolved by reporting the breach to the local council that holds the permit, SHS should email Homes Victoria.
Under the Public Health and Wellbeing (Prescribed Accommodation) Regulations 2020, prescribed accommodation businesses include:
- hotels and motels
- hostels
- student dormitories
- holiday camps
- private rooming houses
- residential accommodation
- labour hire accommodation.
Public health risks can arise from shared use of facilities, high turnover of occupants and/or overcrowding. The aim of the regulations is to set standards to minimise such public health risks. Prescribed accommodation providers must meet hygiene, maintenance and other standards and requirements.
Homes Victoria Housing and Homelessness Support Branch email: HHS@homes.vic.gov.au
Public health and wellbeing prescribed accommodation amendment regulations
For further detail, please also refer to the HEF program guidelines.