Policy context and consistency
You told us a successful Strategy needs strong targets, shared data, consistent funding and robust monitoring.
Targets: The 10-Year Strategy needs specific and clear targets. The most commonly cited figure was 60,000 social housing dwellings over the next decade. Submissions also called for cohort-specific targets and a goal of ‘functional zero’ homelessness.
Shared data: "A lack of accurate and timely data is a significant barrier to fixing the most urgent problem of housing insecurity" (Victorian Trades Hall Council submission). There is a need for shared data for housing needs assessments and evidence-based solutions and decisions.
Consistent funding: Submissions called for predictable and ongoing funding for social and affordable housing. Portfolio funding and ongoing and secure funding for housing support programs were popular solutions to this problem.
Monitoring and evaluation: Monitoring housing need, provision and targets, as well as evaluating projects and programs is central to accountability, planning and ensuring value-for-money.
Submissions called for post-occupancy evaluations, a focus on evidence-based decisions and best practice case studies.
Dwellings should suit demand: There is current and future demand for more one- and two-bedroom units, although there will always remain a need for a diversity of housing to suit different household types.
Growth mechanisms
You told us that Victoria needs to focus on growing our stock of social and affordable housing, and to pursue multiple channels to get there.
Amendments to planning policy – including inclusionary zoning, development levies and zoning changes – should be implemented
While not unanimously supported, many submissions called for mandatory inclusionary zoning state-wide to provide social and affordable housing that is ‘salt and peppered’ throughout communities.
Local, state and federal land are opportunities for social housing provision
Submissions proposed the development of existing, underutilized government- or council-owned land assets, however, several respondents also expressed concern about the loss of public assets and cautioned that ownership should be retained by the public.
Subsidies are a consistent funding stream for growth
Recommendations included an adapted National Rental Affordability Scheme(opens in a new window) or small subsidies for private sector actors to provide housing at below-market rates.
Support build-to-rent, rent-to-buy, shared equity schemes, co-housing, house share programs and social enterprise solutions
Innovative models were pitched as an opportunity to boost supply, provide pathways to ownership, and a means to deliver a diversity of dwelling and tenure types.
Public housing should remain a large, sustainable and growing housing system
While most submissions supported the growth of community housing, many felt this should be accompanied by equal or greater investments in public housing.
Growth in the workforce
A well-trained and adequately remunerated workforce is central to the 10-Year Strategy.
Multiple submissions referenced low wages, casual contracts, vicarious trauma and high-stress work situations as key barriers to attracting and retaining a workforce to support vulnerable households and people experiencing homelessness.
Growth: Top 7 Themes
Updated