WHAT IS THE Public Housing Renewal Program? (PHRP)

The Public Housing Renewal Program (PHRP) is a policy of the Victorian State Government. It was introduced as part of the 'Homes for Victorians' strategy in 2017. The program will redevelop 11 public housing estates around Melbourne.

This redevelopment means that the Government will: relocate all of the residents, enter a contract with a private developer to demolish the buildings, and rebuild new homes.

The new homes will be mostly private apartments, with some housing managed by a community housing provider who is in a partnership with the developer. The Government will retain ownership of some of the social housing units, but not all.

What it means is that:

1. All of the residents of these estates will be displaced from their homes, causing a lot of stress and uncertainty.

2. Public housing land is being sold for private development creating more windfall profits for developers.

3. The number of public housing dwellings on these estates will go from 100% to 0% in some cases because they will be managed by community housing agencies.

4. There is less and less public housing available to provide homes for the growing number of people on the public housing waiting list.

Our members have done research on the likely impacts of the Public Housing Renewal Program. You can find that available for free here.

PUBLIC / COMMUNITY / social housing

Public Housing

is housing owned and subsidised by the state government. Rental costs are 25% of the tenants weekly income. Tenants in public housing are often vulnerable, living as single parents, migrants, or with non-typical mental or physical health. Public housing bodies are lenient with their tenants in an attempt to ensure they remain housed and secure.

Community Housing

is run by dedicated community housing agencies that are private non for profit organisation. Rental costs are up to 30% of tenants income and rights to remain housed are not as secure.

Social Housing

is a term that includes both public housing (housing owned AND managed by the state) and community housing (owned OR managed by not-for-profit housing organisations).

Understanding the IMPLICATIONS

Public housing tenants pay 25% of gross income in rent, but community housing organisations charge up to 30%, and sometimes add ‘fees’ to this. They also require tenants to apply for Commonwealth Rent Assistance which is then paid to the community housing organisation.

Public housing conditions for tenants are regulated by the State government. The conditions for community housing tenants vary between organisations, but are often inferior to those for public housing tenants.

Over recent years a significant proportion of public housing accommodation has been transferred to community housing organisations.

The Victorian Housing Register was established in the Housing Act in 2016. The register is a combined waiting list for anyone applying for public housing or community housing. There is no longer a separate public housing waiting list. You can apply for social housing by visiting the Victorian Social Housing Register.

The stated aims of the Public Housing Renewal Program (PHRP) were to improve and increase public housing stock to meet urgent demands. However, the proposed plans do not include any extension of public housing stock, and instead replace public housing with community housing. This involves selling public land, will reduce tenant rights, and has caused disruption and displacement among communities.

For further information see this document.
(A cohesive side by side comparison of Public Housing & Community Housing)

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