Social homes missing in Victorian budget

Victoria's peak community housing body says the state government's 2025-26 budget will continue to grow social housing stock, with budget papers showing more than 2,000 new homes will be added next financial year. This will still leave Victoria with the lowest proportion of social housing in the country.

In its budget submission, CHIA Vic urged the government to spend $6 billion to increase the Social Housing Growth Fund to build nearly 20,000 homes over the next decade.

"Not investing in social housing is a false economy. Safe and secure housing reduces costs in so many other portfolios including health, justice and support services.

"With the Big Housing Build drying up in 2028, we need the Victorian Government to invest in an ongoing pipeline of social housing.

"Building on the legacy and ambition of the Big Housing Build would ease the crisis while creating the essential infrastructure Victoria needs for the future," Sarah Toohey said.