Australia needs 510,000 social homes by 2050 as waitlists surge to 190,000, report reveals

Waitlists for social housing have grown since 2018. Picture: Brenton Edwards Community housing advocates are crying out for the support they need to improve the lives of vulnerable Australians. An average of only 3,000 social and affordable homes are built each year in Australia and waitlists have soared to 190,000 households, up 70 per cent since 2018 for just those most in need. New economic modelling commissioned by peak body, Australian Community Housing reveals that Australia needs 510,000 additional social and affordable homes by 2050, equivalent to 23,000 a year. MORE: Union demands fivefold increase in public housing Australian Community Housing released new economic modelling on Friday revealing Australia needs 510,000 new social and affordable homes by 2050. Picture: Nikki Short It takes three to five years from securing funding to finishing new homes and ACH chief executive officer Mark Degotardi said inconsistent funding can exaggerate this lag in delivery. “A gap in funding decisions becomes a gap in homes for people who need them,” Mr Degotardi said. “If we want homes being built in 2030 and beyond, the next round of investment has to be decided now. “A social or affo...