Submission to the Parliamentary Inquiry into the redevelopment of Melbourne’s Public Housing towers

31 March 2025

Submission Summary

  1. RAHU strongly condemns and calls for an immediate halt to the demolition of 44 public housing towers and the privatization of the sites of the towers.
  2. RAHU emphasises specific concerns regarding the impact on residents and the lack of transparency surrounding these demolitions.
  3. RAHU believes that alternatives to public housing, such as community housing, affordable housing, and new builds, are insufficient and more costly when compared to the retention and upgrading of existing public housing.
  4. RAHU observes the government’s prioritisation of the private interests over public good, and its resulting exacerbation of the housing crisis.
  5. RAHU notes that the voices of public housing tenants are frequently overlooked by the government.
  6. RAHU urges the government to invest in public housing as a fundamental human right.

Recommendations

Our central demands are to retain, repair, and reinvest in Public Housing.

  1. Immediately cease the demolition of Public Housing.
  2. Halt the leasing and sale of public land.
  3. Facilitate genuine government consultation and engagement with Public Housing
    tenants regarding decisions that impact them.
  4. Build, repair, or acquire 20,000 properties for use as Public Housing every year until
    the state’s Public Housing waiting list hits zero.
  5. Ensure that all LGAs (Local Government Areas) in the state have a minimum 15% of
    dwellings be Public Housing.
  6. Eliminate means testing for Public Housing, making it accessible to all, and removing
    such burden from current tenants.
  7. Phase out government support for market-based Affordable Housing and
    NGO-operated Community Housing.
  8. Improvements of Public Housing management to fully accommodate and support
    tenants and their needs.
  9. Conduct extensive maintenance and improvements on all Public Housing to align
    with the standards mandated for private rentals

Summary

The alternatives to Public Housing are not able to offer the same level of support, stability, and security that Public Housing can provide. They all have major and significant flaws that make them all a worse solution and a poor substitute for the most vulnerable Victorians.

Public Housing is a far superior way to deliver housing in Victoria that is able to effectively meet the needs of those who require housing, providing a stable and secure foundation for individuals and families in need.

Contact

Harry Millward | Secretary | [email protected]
Cassandra Prigg | Campaigns Officer | [email protected]
William van den Wall Bake | Public Policy Officer | [email protected]

You may download the entire submission here (970KB PDF)