This report explores concentrations and density of social housing relative to local amenities and services across Australia – providing an overview of the distribution, access and value of social housing stock. The research also developed an Amenity Index, a tool to checks whether social housing has good access to local amenities. The research demonstrates the need for more social housing with good access to local amenities.

Social housing is often located in areas with lower amenity. High amenity areas have good access to public transport, schools, medical services, employment opportunities and leisure activities. Many social housing tenants don't have cars. Easy access to services is very important for them. This is especially true for people with complex needs who need medical care and other support services.

Key points 

• Historical patterns of social housing influence current stock numbers, location, estate form, condition and dwelling type, and reflect different jurisdictional policies over time.
• Social housing in New South Wales, Victoria, Western Australia and Queensland (and Australia as a whole) is below 5% of total housing stock. While there has been an increase in social housing dwellings over the last 15 years, urban centres’ share has declined.
• At least 70% of high-amenity areas in New South Wales, Victoria, Western Australia and Queensland contain less than 5% social housing. To achieve 5% social housing across all states and territories in the next decade would require 25,000 new units annually.
• Medium-density housing is over-represented in social housing stock by a factor of 2:1 compared to private housing. With high-density housing growing rapidly, it is becoming a typical typology for social housing.