This report examines the long-term impacts of transferring public housing to community housing providers (CHPs) in Australia. It explores how large-scale property transfers have influenced CHP operations, finances, tenant services and outcomes, and identifies policies to support the goals of transfer programs. 

Public housing transfers have been a prominent government strategy for growing Australia’s community housing sector for decades. Transfer programs aim to improve economic efficiency, expand the community housing sector and enhance tenant outcomes. Recent changes to program scale, contract terms, resourcing and service delivery have resulted in divergent outcomes. Assessing the impacts of different programs informs more effective transfer strategies.

Key findings

• By 2024, there were 129,940 dwellings under community housing management, comprising 29% of all social housing in Australia (444,141 dwellings). 
• Most community housing providers (CHPs) taking on ex-PH stock experienced significantly impaired financial viability, generally resulting from larger-than-anticipated maintenance and repair liabilities associated with the transfer portfolios. 
• CHPs reported that earlier transfer programs often involved stock in better condition. Generally, such stock needed less extensive upgrading and any remedial work could be addressed easily or quickly.
• Governments that work collaboratively with the CHP sector to determine the transfer process can improve the process and strengthen the outcomes. 
• Adjustments to transfer terms – especially in enabling title transfers – would further improve the achievement of program outcomes.