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Applications on the Victorian Housing Register (VHR)

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If you are in immediate danger Call 000.

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Are you homeless or at risk of homelessness?

Call 1800 825 955

Free 24 hour phone line. Someone will take your call to get you help nearby. If after hours, they will refer you to the Salvation Army Crisis Services.

---------------------------------------------------------

Are you escaping family violence?

Call 1800 015 188

Free 24 hour phone line. Someone will take your call from Safe Steps Family Violence Response Centre.

The Victorian Housing Register (also known as ‘the VHR’) is where Victorians can register for social housing in Victoria.

Find more information on the VHR and the eligibility criteria, including how to apply for social housing.

About this data

Homes Victoria is committed to increasing transparency of social housing data. The VHR application data summarises demand for social housing and represents households who have applied and been assessed as meeting eligibility for social housing.

To uphold privacy information requirements, the release of the data is in line with the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014.

Data is accurate at the time of publication. Regular quality checks may result in small changes to previously published data.

New applications on the VHR

Data is reported by:

  • New applications on the VHR are people who are not current social housing renters and have applied for social housing in Victoria

Application types on the VHR

Applicants who meet the eligibility criteria for social housing are placed on the VHR according to their housing need.

The VHR consists of 2 application types:

  • Priority access: for people most in need of housing, and
  • Register of interest: for people who do not have an urgent housing need but are seeking to live in social housing.

Applications by type — new applications only

 Jun-23Sep-23Dec-23Mar-24Jun-24 
Priority30,72528,15427,56126,44927,983 
Register of interest25,09723,30123,17122,17123,619 
Total55,82251,45550,73248,62051,602 

Priority access categories on the VHR

There are 6 broad categories of priority access on the VHR. An eligible applicant must meet specific criteria within 1 of these categories to be approved for priority access. In addition to register of interest, new applicants are eligible for the following priority categories: 

  • Emergency management housing (new applicants): for people whose housing is no longer safe or habitable, due to an emergency, for example, a bushfire, flood or storm
  • Homeless with support (new applicants only): for people who are homeless or experiencing family violence and need support to obtain and establish appropriate, long-term housing
  • Supported housing (new applicants only): for people who live in unsuitable housing and have a disability or long-term health problem requiring major structural modifications and/or personal support to live independently
  • Special housing needs (new applicants): for people who are living in housing that has become unsuitable and who have no alternative housing options
  • Special housing needs aged 55 years and over (new applicants only): for people who are eligible for social housing who are aged 55 years and over and are not eligible for another priority category. This category only applies to single people or couples.

Find further information on VHR application categories.

VHR category — new applications only

 Jun-23Sep-23Dec-23Mar-24Jun-24
Emergency management housing278885534 < 5
Homeless with support16,25314,76714,21613,68214,592
Supported housing1,1881,1121,0751,009990
Special housing needs7,4577,1587,0086,503 6,944
Special housing needs aged 55 years +5,5495,0295,2075,221 5,454
Register of interest25,09723,30123,17122,17123,619
Total55,82251,45550,73248,62051,602

Applications on the VHR for the reason of family violence

This data reports on VHR applications where the primary applicant has been approved to the VHR for the reason of family violence. Victim survivors of family violence may apply for any VHR category where they meet the criteria. There are also specific ‘family violence’ priority types within 2 priority access categories on the VHR where experiences of family violence are the basis of eligibility for social housing for new applicants: 

  • Homeless with support – family violence (for new applicants only)
  • Special housing needs – family violence (for new applicants only)

Applications approved for the reason of family violence - new applications only

 Jun-23Sep-23Dec-23Mar-24Jun-24
Homeless with support1,5141,4041,2711,2721,324 
Special housing needs1,3931,3911,4241,3791,505
Total2,9072,7952,6952,6512,829

Aboriginal Victorians on the VHR

This data reports on the number of households where 1 or more individuals identify as Aboriginal (which includes people who identify as Aboriginal, people who identify as Torres Strait Islander and people who identify as both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) and are approved for social housing on the VHR according to application type.

The Victorian Government is continuing to work with Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations to advance self-determination. This supports the Victorian Aboriginal Housing and Homelessness Framework (VAHHF) – Mana-na woorn-tyeen maar-takoort: Every Aboriginal Person Has a Home which sets out a blueprint to improve Aboriginal housing outcomes for Aboriginal Victorians.

This section contains the following tables for households where 1 or more individuals identify as Aboriginal:

  • New applications only, further reported by:
    • New priority access applications
    • New Register of interest applications

Households where one or more individuals identify as Aboriginal — new applications only

 Jun-23Sep-23Dec-23Mar-24Jun-24
Aboriginal households5,8155,4685,4435,2225,611
non-Aboriginal households50,00745,98745,28943,39845,991
Total55,82251,45550,73248,62051,602

Households where one or more individuals identify as Aboriginal — new Priority access applications

 Jun-23Sep-23Dec-23Mar-24Jun-24
Aboriginal households3,5233,2933,2553,0863,323
non-Aboriginal households27,20224,86124,30623,36324,660
Total30,72528,15427,56126,44927,983

Households where one or more individuals identify as Aboriginal — new Register of interest applications

 Jun-23Sep-23Dec-23Mar-24Jun-24
Aboriginal households2,2922,1752,1882,1362,288
non-Aboriginal households22,80521,12620,98320,03521,331
Total25,09723,30123,17122,17123,619

Household types on the VHR

The different household types on the VHR are outlined below:

  • Single youth – 1 person on the application under the age of 25 years
  • Single general – 1 person on the application between the ages of 25-54 years
  • Couple with children – 2 people who are a couple on the application with dependants
  • Single parent – 1 person on the application with dependants
  • Couple no children – 2 people who are a couple on the application
  • Group household – Households comprising of 2 or more single persons over the age of 18 years. The individuals may or may not be related. For example this could include 2 or more single people intending to live in a shared arrangement or a single parent with dependants whose family member/s are also living in the household.
  • Elderly couple – 2 people on the application both over the age of 55 years with 1 household member related to the other household member
  • Elderly single – 1 person on the application over the age of 55 years.

This section contains the following tables for household types:

  • New applications only, further reported by:
    • New priority access applications
    • New register of interest applications

Household type — new applications only

 Jun-23Sep-23Dec-23Mar-24Jun-24
Couple no children1,028941932862900
Couple with children2,4842,2622,2162,1352,249
Elderly couple1,7211,5961,6521,6631,725
Elderly single10,2389,2999,4859,4949,947
Group household2,9282,6972,6872,6802,716
Single general20,84218,85018,26917,07418,261
Single parent13,66212,95112,66112,09512,895
Single youth2,9192,8592,8302,6172,909
Total55,82251,45550,73248,62051,602

Household type — new Priority access applications

 Jun-23Sep-23Dec-23Mar-24Jun-24
Couple no children397364353330349
Couple with children761694650647675
Elderly couple1,0851,0091,0451,0491,098 
Elderly single7,1366,3696,4616,4626,777
Group household1,0669981,000984995 
Singles general12,67911,44810,98110,26910,954 
Single parent5,9005,6085,392 5,1365,403
Single youth1,7011,6641,6791,5721,732
Total30,72528,15427,56126,44927,983

Household type — new Register of Interest applications

 Jun-23Sep-23Dec-23Mar-24Jun-24 
Couple no children631577579532551
Couple with children1,7231,5681,5661,4881,574
Elderly couple636587607 614627
Elderly single3,1022,9303,0243,0323,170
Group household1,8621,6991,6871,6961,721
Single general8,1637,4027,2886,8057,307
Single parent7,7627,3437,2696,9597,492
Single youth1,2181,1951,1511,0451,177
Total25,09723,30123,17122,17123,619 

Number of bedrooms a social housing applicant requires

Sharing data on the number of bedrooms a social housing applicant has been approved for provides transparency around demand for social housing properties by number of bedrooms.

The social housing sector aims to match eligible applicants to a suitable property with an appropriate number of bedrooms, in accordance with the Housing Size Guidelines.

Rooming houses are mainly accommodation for single people. There are several long-term social housing dwellings that are managed under the rooming house provisions of the Residential Tenancies Act 1997.

Registered Housing Agencies who manage properties using the rooming house provisions of the Residential Tenancies Act 1997 allocate eligible social housing applicants from the VHR. Applicants will need to select their preference for a rooming house when registering for social housing.

This section contains the following tables for number of bedrooms:

  • New applications only, further reported by:
    • New priority access applications
    • New register of interest applications

Number of bedrooms — new applications only

 Jun-23Sep-23Dec-23Mar-24Jun-24 
1 bedroom or rooming house35,02932,00731,63030,28032,328 
2 bedrooms11,24310,46910,1509,63510,096
3 bedrooms7,0536,6746,6006,3696,731 
4 bedrooms1,9091,7691,8021,8101,893 
5 or more bedrooms588536550526554 
Total55,82251,45550,73248,620 51,602 

Number of bedrooms — new Priority access applications

 Jun-23Sep-23Dec-23Mar-24Jun-24 
1 bedroom or rooming house21,97319,87519,55218,79420,010 
2 bedrooms4,6974,4064,1933,9804,118 
3 bedrooms2,9682,8332,7812,6662,793 
4 bedrooms843799801801844 
5 or more bedrooms244241234208218 
Total30,72528,15427,56126,44927,983

Number of bedrooms — new Register of interest applications

 Jun-23Sep-23Dec-23Mar-24Jun-24 
1 bedroom or rooming house13,05612,13212,07811,48612,318 
2 bedrooms6,5466,0635,9575,655 5,978 
3 bedrooms4,0853,8413,8193,7033,938 
4 bedrooms1,0669701,0011,0091,049 
5 or more bedrooms344295316318336 
Total25,09723,30123,17122,17123,619 

Preferred social housing providers

A preferred social housing provider includes both public housing, which is owned and managed by the Victorian Government, and community housing. Community housing is provided by a range of Registered Housing Agencies. Find the full list of Homes Victoria approved Registered Housing Agencies participating in the VHR.

When registering for social housing, applicants can choose if they only want to live in public housing, community housing or can choose to select both (that is they are happy to live in either public housing or community housing).

Preferred social housing provider — new applications only

 Jun-23Sep-23Dec-23Mar-24Jun-24 
Either public or community housing43,19939,84339,27637,78540,229
Public housing only11,10210,26210,1369,58610,026 
Community housing only1,5211,3501,3201,2491,347 
Total55,82251,45550,732 48,62051,602

Transfer applications on the VHR

Transfer applications on the VHR are people who are current social housing renters and have applied to move to another social housing property in Victoria as their circumstances have changed. Find more information on transfer applications here,

Application types on the VHR

Applicants who meet the eligibility criteria for social housing are placed on the VHR according to their housing need.

The VHR consists of 2 application types:

  • Priority access: for people most in need of housing, and
  • Register of interest: for people who do not have an urgent housing need but are seeking to live in social housing.

Applications by type — transfer applications only

 Jun-23Sep-23Dec-23Mar-24Jun-24
Priority5,9656,1496,7266,8066,821
Register of interest3,4083,1043,1063,0333,164
Total9,3739,2539,8329,8399,985

Priority access categories on the VHR

There are 6 broad categories of priority access on the VHR. In addition to the register of interest, transfer applicants are only eligible for 3 priority categories:

  • Emergency management housing (transfer applicants): for people whose housing is no longer safe or habitable, due to an emergency, for example, a bushfire, flood or storm
  • Priority transfers (transfer applicants only): for existing social housing renters who require urgent relocation to another social housing property due to their current property being unsafe or unsuitable, being sold, redeveloped or better utilised
  • Special housing needs (transfer applicants): for people who are living in housing that has become unsuitable and who have no alternative housing options

VHR category — transfer applications only

 Jun-23Sep-23Dec-23Mar-24Jun-24
Emergency management5<5<5-
Priority transfers5,7315,9526,5356,6236,636
Special housing needs229196191181185
Register of interest3,4083,1043,1063,0333,164
Total9,3739,2539,8329,8399,985

Applications on the VHR for the reason of family violence

This data reports on VHR applications where the primary applicant has been approved to the VHR for the reason of family violence. Victim survivors of family violence may apply for any VHR category where they meet the criteria. There is also specific ‘family violence’ priority type within 1 priority access category on the VHR where experiences of family violence are the basis of eligibility for social housing for transfer applicants: 

  • Priority transfers – family violence (for transfer applicants only)

Applications approved for the reason of family violence – transfer applications only

 Jun-23Sep-23Dec-23Mar-24Jun-24
Priority transfers1,1801,2311,2841,2961,366
Total1,1801,2311,2841,2961,366

Aboriginal Victorians on the VHR

This data reports on the number of households where 1 or more individuals identify as Aboriginal (which includes people who identify as Aboriginal, people who identify as Torres Strait Islander and people who identify as both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) and are approved for social housing on the VHR according to application type.

The Victorian Government is continuing to work with Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation’s to advance self-determination. This supports the Victorian Aboriginal Housing and Homelessness Framework (VAHHF) – Mana-na woorn-tyeen maar-takoort: Every Aboriginal Person Has a Home which sets out a blueprint to improve Aboriginal housing outcomes for Aboriginal Victorians.

Households where 1 or more individuals identify as Aboriginal — transfer applications only

 Jun-23Sep-23Dec-23Mar-24Jun-24
Aboriginal households1,1681,1771,2411,2721,368
non-Aboriginal households8,2058,0768,5918,5678,617
 9,3739,2539,8329,8399,985

Household types on the VHR

The different household types on the VHR are outlined below:

  • Single youth – 1 person on the application under the age of 25 years
  • Singles general – 1 person on the application between the ages of 25-54 years
  • Couple with children – 2 people who are a couple on the application with dependants
  • Single parent – 1 person on the application with dependants
  • Couple no children – 2 people who are a couple on the application
  • Group households – Households comprising of 2 more single persons over the age of 18 years. The individuals may or may not be related. For example this could include two or more single people intending to live in a shared arrangement or a single parent with dependants whose family member/s are also living in the household.
  • Elderly couple – 2 people on the application both over the age of 55 years with 1 household member related to the other household member
  • Elderly single – 1 person on the application over the age of 55 years.

Household type — transfer applications only

 Jun-23Sep-23Dec-23Mar-24Jun-24
Couple no children132128134128133
Couple with children710681692673670
Elderly couple177161194196201
Elderly single2,1372,1192,2792,3212,358
Group household907884956990956
Single general1,9591,9372,0491,9902,014
Single parent3,2263,2083,3843,3923,499
Single youth125135144149154
Total9,3739,2539,8329,8399,985

Number of bedrooms a social housing applicant requires

Sharing data on the number of bedrooms a social housing applicant has been approved for provides transparency around demand for social housing properties by number of bedrooms.

The social housing sector aims to match eligible applicants to a suitable property with an appropriate number of bedrooms, in accordance with the Housing Size Guidelines.

Rooming houses are mainly accommodation for single people. There are several long-term social housing dwellings that are managed under the rooming house provisions of the Residential Tenancies Act 1997.

Registered Housing Agencies who manage properties using the rooming house provisions of the Residential Tenancies Act 1997 allocate eligible social housing applicants from the VHR. 

Applicants will need to select their preference for a rooming house when registering for social housing.

Number of bedrooms — transfer applications only

 Jun-23Sep-23Dec-23Mar-24Jun-24
1 bedroom or rooming house3,9103,8684,0964,0574,161
2 bedrooms2,2142,1662,3442,4092,397
3 bedrooms1,9371,9212,0512,0392,110
4 bedrooms9789841,0121,003997
5 or more bedrooms334314329331320
Total9,3739,2539,8329,8399,985

Preferred social housing providers

A preferred social housing provider includes both public housing, which is owned and managed by the Victorian Government, and community housing. Community housing is provided by a range of Registered Housing Agencies. Find the full list of Homes Victoria approved Registered Housing Agencies participating in the VHR.

When registering for social housing, applicants can choose if they only want to live in public housing, community housing or can choose to select both (that is they are happy to live in either public housing or community housing).

Preferred social housing provider — transfer applications only

 Jun-23Sep-23Dec-23Mar-24Jun-24
Public housing4,3774,1894,3284,2254,297
Community Housing231243236223206
Community and Public Housing4,7654,8215,2685,3915,482
Total9,3739,2539,8329,8399,985

Data on VHR location preferences by preferred waiting list area (also known as broadbands)

When applying for social housing, applicants select their location preferences for where they want to live by choosing up to 5 ‘waiting list areas’. Waiting list areas, also known as ‘broadbands’, are generally made up of neighbouring suburbs and/or towns that are linked by public transport. Applicants may be offered a property in any suburb or town from their chosen waiting list areas.

Applicants can choose to list between 1 and 5 waiting list areas on their application. This means that when reporting on this data, up to 5 waiting list areas may be counted for 1 application, but not all applications will have 5 waiting list areas. On average, an applicant selects 2 to 3 location preferences. As a result, the total number of preferences will always be higher than the total number of applications on the VHR*.

For more information on preferred waiting list areas, please see the list of Victorian Housing Register areas.

*Disclaimer for preferred waiting list area report

Preferred waiting list area data aims to provide an applicant’s location preference(s) of social housing across Victoria. Preferred waiting list area data is derived by an applicant selecting up to five location preferences per application. As applicants can select up to five location preferences; a single applicant can therefore be counted anywhere from 1 to 5 times in the data set. There is no rank order for preferences selected. There is no comparability with number of applications on the waitlist due to the variability of the number of preferences chosen by each applicant. 

Bedroom sizes are reported on by preferred waiting list area to indicate the type of housing size requirements an applicant is approved for. To uphold confidentiality and privacy requirements, figures between the numbers of 0-4 are reported as <5.

Fluctuations in numbers over time may be influenced by changes to allocation policies, priorities and eligibility criteria. 

Organisations who choose to use this published report for demand data modelling make strategic business decisions at their own risk.  

VHR application data previously published on the housing.vic.gov.au website 

VHR application data was previously published on housing.vic.gov.au in a different format. This data set included the total number of VHR applications and the total number of VHR transfer applications, broken down by Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH) Division and Area.  

This data showed VHR applications by the Area office that corresponds to where the applicant resides. This means that demand analysis was limited as it did not report on an applicant’s locational preference when seeking social housing. To enable greater locational understanding of demand we now publish data on VHR locational preferences by preferred waiting list area. 

Publishing insightful data on social housing demand requires the analysis and review of a large volume of data to ensure the figures published provide meaningful insights for public discussion. The data published here has undergone data remediation. As a result there may be small differences in data published here with data published in the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH) Annual Report.