Kim O’KEEFFE (Shepparton) (10:28): I rise to speak on the Legislative Assembly Environment and Planning Committee’s report into the inquiry into the supply of homes in regional Victoria, which was tabled in November 2025. This was an important inquiry that examined one of the most significant challenges facing regional Victoria today: ensuring that people can access affordable, appropriate and secure housing in the communities that they call home. The committee received 118 submissions, conducted public hearings across regional Victoria and ultimately delivered a report containing 12 findings and 34 recommendations aimed at increasing housing supply and improving housing affordability throughout regional communities.
The inquiry found that demand for housing in regional Victoria continues to outstrip supply, and there is no surprise there. Population growth, migration – also from metropolitan areas – changing household structures and increasing housing costs have combined to place significant pressure on regional housing markets. Rental vacancies remain extremely low in many communities, while the cost of purchasing a home has placed home ownership beyond the reach of many young families and essential workers. The committee highlighted the need for greater investment in social and affordable housing. Housing providers also highlighted growing waiting lists.
We know that homelessness figures continue to rise significantly in regional communities. The report calls for a sustained pipeline of social housing investment to support vulnerable Victorians and reduce pressure on the private rental market. Recommendation 32 calls on the Victorian government to work with local governments, community housing providers and social service organisations to establish clear targets for the construction of new social housing that actually reflects projected demand across both metropolitan and regional Victoria. Recommendation 33 calls for the development of a dedicated 10-year investment plan to increase social housing across regional Victoria, including both public housing and community housing, supported by long-term funding streams specifically targeted to regional and rural communities. Importantly, recommendation 34 recognises that housing is about more than simply building homes. It recommends increased funding for community housing organisations and social service providers to deliver wraparound support services, homelessness prevention programs and early intervention measures for vulnerable Victorians.
These recommendations are particularly important in regional communities with the scale of demand, where waiting lists remain high and where many people are struggling with the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. Access to affordable housing is not simply a housing issue. It affects health outcomes, educational opportunities, workforce participation and community wellbeing. The report found that while regional Victoria continues to experience strong population growth, housing supply is simply not keeping pace with demand. This is driving up rents, increasing house prices and making it harder for families, workers, young people and older residents to find suitable accommodation. The committee also highlighted the need for greater housing diversity. Regional Victoria has traditionally been dominated by detached family homes, yet demographic trends show increasing demand for smaller dwellings, units, townhouses and accessible housing suitable for older residents wishing to downsize and remain within their communities. The committee rightly recognised that sustained long-term investment in public, community and affordable housing will be critical if we are to address housing insecurity and reduce pressure on the private rental market.
One of the strongest themes of this report is that housing supply cannot be left to the market alone. The committee heard clear evidence that regional communities are facing rising rents, increasing cost-of-living pressures and significant shortages of affordable and social housing. The report recognises that sustained investment in public and community housing is essential if we are to provide secure housing for families, key workers, older residents and vulnerable Victorians. It also acknowledges that without infrastructure, workforce capacity and planning certainty regional Victoria will continue to struggle to meet growing demand. I was also pleased to see the inquiry recognise the importance of construction workforce shortages across regional Victoria. The committee made recommendations aimed at addressing skills shortages within the building and construction sector and supporting innovative building methods that could improve housing delivery in regional areas. These measures recognise that increasing supply requires both planning reform and a workforce capable of delivering new homes efficiently and affordably.
One of the most valuable aspects of this inquiry was hearing directly from regional Victorians. Many community organisations spoke of the increasing number of people experiencing housing stress, homelessness and difficulty securing rental accommodation. I wish to acknowledge the committee’s work and my colleagues the member for Morwell, the member for Narracan and the member for Croydon for their work in regard to this important inquiry.
