The review into Victoria’s social housing regulatory system is underway, responding to significant changes in the sector as the Andrews Labor Government builds thousands of new social housing homes across the state.

The Labor Government’s $5.3 billion Big Housing Build is delivering more than 12,000 new homes – boosting Victoria’s social housing supply by 10 per cent – while generating 10,000 jobs each year over the next four years.

This landmark investment– the largest single investment in social housing in Australia’s history – is dramatically shifting the landscape of the social housing sector in Victoria.

The independent Social Housing Regulation Review will identify how best to support the long-term interests of social and affordable housing residents and their communities.

The independent panel will also look at how best to position Victoria for social housing growth and transformation over the coming decades.

The panel will involve a strong focus on resident voices as well as focusing on issues specific to Aboriginal housing, including support for Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations to deliver and manage social housing.

Extensive consultation with stakeholders will be an important part of the review through meetings, round-tables and site visits, with a discussion paper now open for stakeholder feedback.

The panel has already spent the first part of 2021 visiting parts of Victoria to understand first-hand the social housing system and how it operates.

Chaired by Emeritus Professor of Public Policy at RMIT David Hayward, the panel includes Commissioner for Residential Tenancies in Victoria Heather Holst and public sector policy and regulation expert Dr David Cousins AM.

Stakeholders, social housing tenants and the community are encouraged to have their say at: engage.vic.gov.au/social-housing-regulation-review.