Gains made on reducing homelessness during the pandemic last year are slipping away. Less than a third of those assisted with temporary hotel accommodation during the crisis were later transitioned into longer-term affordable housing, mainly due to a shortage of social housing available, according to this research.

This report finds low-income and other vulnerable groups are being forced into informal housing arrangements, such as share accommodation. A chronic shortage of social and affordable housing means some people are forced to live in severely overcrowded situations that contravene planning and building regulations.

Australia's peak body for social services has released its housing and homelessness services election policy priorities. It is calling for an increase to funding for homelessness services and affordable housing.

NSW Opposition Leader Michael Daley says that, if elected, Labor will boost funding for domestic violence services, and claims that the state Coalition cut $20 million from specialist shelters in 2014.

This submission calls for increased funding and actions from the Victorian government to improve access to housing and address homelessness in the state.