While 384,700 households across Australia were housed in social housing in 2016 (4.4% of all households), an even greater number were in need of it—estimated to be around 433,000 households (5% of all households).
Recent AHURI research developed a demographic model to assess the level and distribution of social housing need across Australia. The analysis took into account existing social housing provision, the current backlog of unaddressed need, as well as the needs likely to arise over the next 20 years. The research then factored in housing and land markets to calculate the cost of procuring the required housing in 88 different areas across Australia.
The table below presents the top 10 SA4 areas that need the greatest number of new social housing dwellings based on this research.
Table 1: Top 10 areas needing the greatest number of new social housing dwellings in 2016
| Area | New social housing dwellings needed |
Households currently in social housing |
Total number of households |
New social housing dwellings needed as % of total households |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Melbourne—West (Vic) |
14,100 |
6,200 |
248,000 |
5.7% |
|
Melbourne—South East (Vic) |
13,900 |
5,700 |
253,000 |
5.5% |
|
Gold Coast (Qld) |
13,600 |
5000 |
216,900 |
6.3% |
|
Inner South West Sydney (NSW) |
13,000 |
11,800 |
192,800 |
6.7% |
|
Parramatta Sydney (NSW) |
10,600 |
11,000 |
147,800 |
7.2% |
|
Melbourne—Inner (Vic) |
10,100 |
15,800 |
266,900 |
3.8% |
|
South West Sydney (NSW) |
10,000 |
9,400 |
123,000 |
8.1% |
|
Adelaide—North (SA) |
9,800 |
12,300 |
159,900 |
6.1% |
|
Wide Bay (Qld) |
9,000 |
3,800 |
115,900 |
7.8% |
|
Ipswich (Qld) |
8,000 |
5,200 |
112,000 |
7.1% |