Make Social Housing Work: A Framework for Victoria’s Public and Community Housing 2020 – 2030, has been put together by the Housing Peaks Alliance, a group which includes the Victorian Public Tenants Association.
Victoria has the lowest proportion of social housing stock of all Victorian states and territories. We are seeing the numbers of people in insecure housing and the number of people experiencing homelessness continue to increase.
Although the Victorian Government is one of the most progressive, if not the most progressive, in Australia, our housing system is letting us down. It’s not fit for purpose, and with 100,000 or more individuals waiting for a home, something has to be done.
The document provides a clear roadmap for the Victorian Government to follow now, and for the next 10 years to ensure that every Victorian who needs a home, has one.
The Alliance is calling for a number of reforms and initiatives, including:
- Construction of 6,000 new public and community housing properties every year for the next 10 years, including 300 for Indigenous housing. This would raise the proportion of social housing stock in Victoria to the national average of 4.5 per cent.
- Extra support for people to gain and sustain tenancies.
- For inclusionary zoning to be mandated in Victoria.
Executive Officer of the VPTA, Mark Feenane said:
“People in desperate need can wait 10 years or more to access public housing. Victoria must build public housing as a priority, so people can live with dignity, in a decent, affordable home.”
Read the full report (this link will take you to a page hosted by the Council to Homeless Persons).
The Housing Peaks Alliance is made up of the VPTA with: