Victorian Social Housing Plan Welcomed, But More Needed — Advocates
Advocates have welcomed the Victorian Government’s $860 million investment to build 7,000 new social housing properties, but warn it falls far short of addressing the state’s housing crisis. The Council to Homeless Persons says the funding will help families on waiting lists and those experiencing homelessness, yet with 39,000 people in urgent need and research showing 8,000 homes must be built annually over the next decade, the pledge covers only a fraction of demand. Advocates are urging a long-term strategy that balances both public and community housing to ensure safe, stable accommodation for all residents.
Harry Taruva 
The Council to Homeless Persons has welcomed a major social housing investment by the Victorian Government, while warning that the move falls short of addressing the scale of the housing crisis.
The government has committed $860 million to build 7,000 new social housing properties, a step advocates say will provide relief to thousands of vulnerable residents.
Council to Homeless Persons chief executive Deborah Di Natale described the announcement as significant, saying it would benefit families on waiting lists, people experiencing homelessness and those struggling in the private rental market.
However, she cautioned that the investment represents only a fraction of what is required.
According to the organisation, about 39,000 people in urgent need remain on Victoria’s priority housing waiting list, with many facing long delays before accessing accommodation.
Research by SGS Economics estimates that nearly 8,000 new social homes must be built annually over the next decade — roughly 80,000 in total — for Victoria to reach the national average.
Advocates say the current pledge accounts for only about 10 percent of recommendations made by Infrastructure Victoria over the same period.
The council also highlighted concerns about public housing supply, citing findings from the Productivity Commission that only 36 new public housing units were built in the past nine years.
The organisation is now calling for a balanced approach that includes both public and community housing in future developments.
While welcoming the funding as a positive start, the council urged authorities to commit to a long-term strategy to ensure all residents have access to safe and stable housing.
