This report provides data insights for Victoria about the demand for social housing – as expressed through demand on the social housing waiting list, and demand as measured by the housing needs of the community. 

Social housing (incorporating both public and community housing) is an essential component of the housing system. Victoria has the lowest proportion of social housing in Australia, currently at 3.1%. After the Victorian government's Big Housing Build investment, it will be about 3.5% – still well under the national average of 4.5%. 

The report calls for evidence-informed, measurable social housing targets and a long term strategy to make those targets a reality. The data in this report provides the Victorian Government with evidence to set those targets and drive urgent action on a strategy to achieve them. 

Key findings

• There's not enough social housing for everyone that needs it.
• Victoria would need to build 7,990 new social homes a year for the next 10 years to catch up to the national average (which itself isn’t enough to meet demand).
• Currently, the Victorian Government has housing targets for the private market, but no targets for social housing.