Social housing

Social housing is long-term rental housing available to people who face challenges that make it difficult to secure safe and suitable housing in the private rental market.

This includes;

• People who are on a low income
• People who are at risk of, or currently experiencing homelessness 
• Victim/survivors of family violence 
• People with a disability 
• People with mental ill health.

When social housing is owned and managed by the state government, it is called public housing. 

When social housing is owned and managed by not-for-profit community housing organisations, it is called community housing.

Social housing rents are capped at 25 – 30% of household income. This ensures that rents remain manageable, even if a renters' income changes. 

Renters are matched with a home that suits their needs. This means that social housing can vary in size from large family homes to single-bedroom apartments. They are also located across the state in regional Victoria and metropolitan Melbourne.

Social housing renters have the same rights as private market renters. All renters are protected under the Residential Tenancies Act 1997. You can read more about your rights as a renter here: Renting - Consumer Affairs Victoria