Community Housing Industry Association Victoria is urging all political parties to be bold in their pitches on social and affordable housing plans ahead of this weekend’s election.
Acting CEO Jason Perdriau said the need for social housing will continue when the Big Housing Build funding dries up in 2024.
“We need a plan now, to start investing in this essential social infrastructure beyond the Big Housing Build,” Mr Perdriau said.
New analysis prepared for the national Community Housing Industry Association highlights the desperate need for action from the next government.
The report shows 109,800 Melbourne households and 36,300 in regional Victoria have housing needs that are not met.
Inner, south east, and west Melbourne are among the country’s top regions with the highest unmet needs.
Community Housing Industry Association Victoria is calling on all parties to commit to investing in a Social Housing Investment Fund.
The proposal calls for a $6 billion Social Housing Investment Fund to deliver the funding pipeline needed to create an additional 20,000 homes over the next decade.
A long-term funding pipeline with clear annual allocations would allow community housing organisations to partner with developers and councils earlier to deliver more housing at lower costs.
Mr Perdriau said: “Social housing isn’t just nice to have, it’s essential infrastructure, like schools and hospitals and we need to start investing in it the same way.
“Victoria has the lowest proportion of social housing in Australia at just 3 per cent, compared with the national average at 4.2 per cent. With Victoria’s population set to climb, this housing crisis will worsen without action.
“Our state will return to its pre–Big Housing Build trajectory without locking in a clear funding pipeline and delivery plan. Victoria needs to construct an additional 6,000 social housing units a year over the decade. The Social Housing Investment Fund would deliver a third of those to lift Victoria up to the national average.
“Every Victorian has the right to a safe home. Every Victorian struggling to access that, and every ally that stands with them, has the power to change their future this Saturday.
“There’s still time for all parties to be bold in their housing pitches to voters ahead of polling day. Their promises matter and can steer Victoria to a brighter future where having a roof over your head is no longer out of reach.”
