This report outlines the findings of Australia’s largest social housing evaluation to date, which encompasses outcome, economic and implementation evaluations. It finds that the 10-year Future Directions program resulted in more housing provision and better tenant experience. There was less evidence of progress towards reducing reliance on social housing, but increased housing stability for older tenants and improved employment outcomes for younger tenants. The report is accompanied by a supplementary cost-benefit analysis.

Key findings

• Strong progress was made in the provision of more social housing but slower than anticipated progress with new/redeveloped government-owned housing.
• Consistent progress was made across all programs and initiatives in terms of improving the social housing experience.
• There was less evidence of progress in encouraging social housing avoidance or exit, but the program's contributions to improving employment outcomes, educational opportunities and earning capacity of tenants may contribute to future social housing exits.
• Future housing policy should consider enhanced methods of engaging with tenants.
• Expanded policy goals taking a wider system view of barriers and enablers (such as affordability of private rentals) would contribute towards the goal of increasing tenant exit to private housing.
• Contractual and program complexity was a standout concern for stakeholder organisations.
• While the program has offered sizeable benefits for tenants, current economic analysis suggests these benefits are outweighed by additional costs, when compared to other social housing.