The Victorian government has admitted nearly 5,000 social housing properties were sitting empty - many needing repairs - despite record demand across Australia’s rental market. This video includes ACM-produced voiceover powered by AI.
00:00Making sure that we have that investment in social and affordable housing.
00:04As rental stress surges nationwide, the Victorian Government has admitted nearly 5,000 public and community housing properties were sitting empty, many needing repairs, despite record wait lists for shelter.
00:19This is part of our big housing build right across the state where we're delivering over 12,000 social and affordable homes.
00:25The revelation followed questions by ACM after an initial figure of 1,094 vacant but liveable homes was cited in a parliamentary hearing.
00:35In truth, the total was around 4,750, with over 1,700 more public housing homes left idle due to repair needs alongside 1,852 community housing properties.
00:49These public housing properties are entirely the Government's responsibility, so to have 1,793 that are uninhabitable from Government neglect in the middle of a housing crisis is appalling.
01:03Victoria's social housing system, made up of both state-owned and non-profit-run homes, remains under intense pressure as rising costs and low availability plague Aussies from every corner of the country.
01:15Despite repair backlogs, the Government says 7,626 people were placed in housing last year, a 37% improvement.
