Victoria’s public housing waitlist is surging, with more than 2,665 people currently waiting for a home -1,447 of them listed as a priority.
New data from the Council to Homeless Persons shows Victoria’s housing crisis is worsening in almost every key measure.
The Council to Homeless Persons’ 2025 Housing Insecurity Index reveals:
- Median rents have increased by 3.9 percent across Victoria in the past 12 months alone – with regional rents up 6 percent
- More than 60,000 Victorians are now on the social housing waitlist – up 7.4 percent in a year
- Over 13,000 people every month are seeking homelessness services due to family violence, and an additional 10,000 people each month are turning to homelessness services because of housing stress
The Nationals’ Member for Eastern Victoria, Melina Bath said the data is ‘unsurprising’ given the Allan Government’s inaction and introduction of 30 new and increased property taxes, which are punishing owners and renters.
“The growing public housing waitlist reflects the increasing number of individuals and families experiencing homelessness and housing stress.
“During a cost of living crisis, the number of private rentals has dropped while rents have soared under Labor.
“This data lays bare the extent of Victoria’s housing crisis – no matter how Labor tries to spin it, it has failed to deliver the social and affordable homes that vulnerable Victorians need.
“Instead of focusing on delivering housing projects, the Allan Government is taxing Victorians to oblivion and blowing billions on mismanaged, city-centric infrastructure projects”.
Ms Bath said homelessness is a rapidly growing statewide issue and the sheer number of people sleeping rough is heartbreaking.
“Our local support services are frequently overwhelmed and unable to meet the demand as Labor’s failures and punishing tax regime drive more people into hardship.
“Labor can’t manage housing, can’t manage money and vulnerable Victorians are paying the price.”
