A report by the Productivity Commission reveals Victoria’s spending on social housing has been dropping over the years, while New South Wales, Western Australia and Queensland are spending more.
 
Victoria spent $939.7m from 2010 to 2011, but a drastic plunge was seen in 2013 to 2014 as its social housing expenditure went down to $431m.
 
While the discrepancy can be accredited to the peaked federal government contributions from 2010 to 2011 through the economic stimulus package, the Victorian Labor government argued the figures serve as evidence that the previous Liberal administration “tore the heart” out of social housing.
 
“The previous Liberal government didn’t care about housing for struggling families,” said Victoria housing minister Martin Foley. “They abandoned the people who are most in need of help.”
 
The report said an average of 92 Victorians per day were rejected by homelessness agencies over the past financial year, as the sector claimed it cannot cater to 22,000 homeless Australians due to lack of resources.
 
Despite the low figures for Victoria, the report also confirmed that all states and territories increased their spending for social housing, as the national total jumps from $538.1m in the previous year to $619.1m.
 
NSW spent $138.5m in 2013-14, followed by Victoria with $190.8m and Queensland with $106m.
 
Meanwhile, WA spent $68.7m and is followed with smaller amounts in South Australia, Tasmania, the ACT and Northern Territory.

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