Implementation plans > Housing > Actions > Action 2

Action 2
Pursue affordability in housing

Monitor housing affordability
Lead agent: DOI with the Office of Housing and other key stakeholders
The cost of housing is important to all households, especially so where income levels are low-to-moderate. An adequate supply of affordable housing in the right locations is essential for the social and economic wellbeing of such households. It is needed also to nourish a sustainable housing industry and an efficient, buoyant urban economy.

Detailed information on housing needs, housing costs and on the distribution of affordable housing is important to establish the level and quality of affordable supply, to identify which groups are vulnerable or missing out, and to ascertain the required mix of housing options. At State and local government levels, this information can then be used to develop appropriate responses through the planning and housing assistance systems, and to focus necessary action on different locations and households.

DOI will investigate and analyse trends in the provision of affordable housing. With the Office of Housing, it will develop a process to monitor changes in the supply and distribution of affordable housing across the metropolitan area.

This information will be linked to measures of housing need that take into account differences across age groups, household types and sizes, and individual needs (such as the need for housing linked to support services).

Research will extend to other cities and countries, to uncover valuable lessons that could lead to better solutions for addressing affordability issues in local, metropolitan and regional environments. DOI will work with other agencies to identify best practice examples of well-designed, affordable housing developments around Australia and appropriate international examples. Information will be distributed to policy-makers and practitioners.

Increase the supply of affordable housing
Lead agent: DOI with the Office of Housing, other government agencies and key stakeholders
Creating opportunities to provide appropriately located affordable housing involves issues such as land supply, design and construction standards and encouraging suppliers of affordable housing.

Many government and non-government agencies play active roles in the supply and provision of affordable housing. Through coordinating their resources and functions, the Government can seek to promote innovative and flexible affordable housing opportunities for renting or purchasing that go beyond traditional approaches. Strengthening alliances and partnerships between agencies is an important way of maximising opportunities. DOI will work with the Urban and Regional Land Corporation, the Office of Housing, local councils and the not-for-profit sector in this way.

Recent government initiatives on affordable housing include a strategy on social housing issues in Victoria, being developed by the Office of Housing, and an advisory committee appointed by the Minister for Housing to advise on ways in which State and local government might work together on the subject. DOI will consider recommendations that emerge and will work with key agencies and stakeholders to investigate, develop and implement initiatives that aim to increase the supply of well-located affordable housing.

Revitalise public housing stock
Lead agent: Office of Housing with other key stakeholders
The Government is committed to providing more social housing and improving its quality, as an essential part of the provision of affordable housing.

The Office of Housing is engaged in major programs to:

• refurbish outdated public housing
• reconfigure the mix and choice of housing to match changes in the needs of clients
• reduce concentrations of public housing and strengthen local communities and neighbourhoods in areas of social and economic disadvantage.

The Office of Housing is currently undertaking neighbourhood renewal programs in the Latrobe Valley, Wendouree West, Collingwood, Fitzroy, Maidstone, Braybrook, Corio, Norlane, Eaglehawk, Long Gully,
Seymour and Shepparton. A shared vision for neighbourhoods will be developed through local Neighbourhood Renewal Action Plans.

DOI will continue to support the Office of Housing’s programs, with a central focus on working with local government to promote strategies to revitalise and diversify housing and improve amenity and opportunity in neighbourhood renewal areas.