Rental Housing Co-operatives (RHCs) are a distinctive type of community housing provider which came into existence in the early 80’s in response to the acute shortage of Public and affordable housing. RHCs were seen as an alternative way of providing housing for low-income families in need of affordable housing, which could provide the affordability and security offered by Public Housing and also some benefits of home ownership.
United Housing Co-operative (UHC) provides suitable, affordable, and secure accommodation for low- to moderate-income families in housing need. Limited accommodation is also available for low-income single applicants. Eligibility, allocation, and rent guidelines are generally similar to those used in Public Housing, although some variations apply to properties owned directly by the Co-operative.
UHC manages properties across the municipalities of Brimbank, Darebin, Hobsons Bay, Maribyrnong, Moonee Valley, Wyndham City, and the City of Yarra. Of the properties under management, 162 are owned by the Director of Housing and leased to the Co-operative under a General Lease arrangement. In addition, UHC directly owns 58 properties, including three properties acquired through the National Building Program in 2011–12 in Wyndham City, six properties purchased through a partnership with the State Government’s Rapid Housing Program – Family Violence in 2016–2017, and 49 properties from the Summerhill Village development completed in 2025. These bring the total property portfolio to 220 properties.
UHC is governed by a Board of Directors elected democratically by members of the Co-operative, ensuring strong member, renter, and resident participation in the management of the service and a clear understanding of renter-members’ needs.
