New data has revealed the availability of social housing for vulnerable Victorians continues to flatline under the Allan Labor Government.
Internal Homes Victoria data obtained by the State Opposition shows there was a net increase of just 18 social housing places between October and December 2023, while total public housing places fell by 20.
This is despite the Allan Labor Government claiming the number of “Big Housing Build” homes increased by 1047 over the same period, meaning a number of homes are either sitting vacant or are not ready to be occupied.
Similarly, in the six months to September 2023, the number of homes leased by the government for the Homelessness to a Home and Homes for Families programs decreased by 929.
Meanwhile, total applications on the Housing Registrar for the December 2023 quarter decreased by only 144, meaning Victoria’s housing wait list remains at more than 60,500.
Shadow Minister for Housing, Richard Riordan, said: “The Allan Labor Government must explain why homes are sitting empty in the middle of a housing crisis and what happened to the families in the homes that were previously leased for vulnerable Victorians.
“After almost a decade in office, Labor has been unable to make any significant headway into solving the homelessness issue in Victoria.
“Labor cannot manage money and Victoria’s most vulnerable are paying the price through a lack of social, affordable and public housing.”
