Social housing is an official umbrella term that includes both Public Housing (housing owned AND managed by the state) and Community Housing (owned OR managed by non-government housing organisations).
The Victorian government changed the Housing Act in 2016 to make this explicit.
Public housing conditions for tenants are regulated by the State Government. The conditions for community housing tenants vary between organisations, but are often inferior to those for public housing tenants.
For example, public housing tenants pay 25% of gross income in rent, but community housing organisations charge up to 30%, and sometimes add ‘fees’ to this. They also require tenants to apply for Commonwealth Rent Assistance which is then paid to the community housing organisation.
The other change made to the Housing Act in 2016 was the establishment of the Victorian Housing Register. The register is a combined waiting list for anyone applying for public housing or community housing. There is no longer a separate public housing waiting list.
Over recent years a significant proportion of public housing accommodation has been transferred to community housing organisations. It is important, when discussing public housing or community housing, to spell out what is meant, instead of using the umbrella term ‘social housing’.
Talking about social housing conceals the shift that is occurring. Because the Victorian government is increasing support for community housing at the cost of public housing, calling both ‘social housing’ allows this shift to go unremarked.
In a time of increasing homelessness the Victorian government has a responsibility to grow public housing to meet the need for this critical social infrastructure. Adequate public housing is essential for the well-being of low income families and individuals.