Victorian social housing waiting list surpasses 55,000 families

In Victoria, Australia, there is a growing demand for social housing due to rising living costs. The number of families on the waiting list has surged to over 55,000, marking an 8.4% increase from 2023. Housing Minister Harriet Shing described the situation as "record demand" across the country, with similar trends in New South Wales and Queensland. Recent government data reveals that 55,024 applications were on the Victorian housing register as of December 2024. This increase marks the third consecutive quarter of rising demand, with 1,470 new applications added since September. Shing noted that more than 7,600 households were placed in social homes last year, but acknowledged that more work is needed. The Queensland government saw an 11% increase in its waiting list, while New South Wales reported a 10% rise. New South Wales also has the largest waiting list, with nearly 65,000 applications. In contrast, Victoria has the lowest proportion of social housing in the country at just 2.8%. Sarah Toohey, chief executive of the Community Housing Industry Association Victoria, emphasized the need for at least 2,000 new social housing units each year. She warned that many individuals are close to needing social housing due to ongoing financial pressures. The Victorian government has committed $1.38 billion to social and affordable housing for the financial year 2023-24. However, it faces criticism for its strategy of redeveloping public housing. Critics argue that new community housing should remain under public control to better serve vulnerable populations.