The increasing cost of buying a house combined with a

The increasing cost of buying a house combined with a desire to delay or avoid the burden of
housing debt, and the simultaneous growth of a dynamic, casualised workforce is creating a
generation of longer-term tenants.
At the same time that a significant number of households are renting for longer terms, private
rental is becoming less affordable, particularly for low-income households. 4 Additional challenges
facing tenants include less control, stability and security, compared to more secure forms of tenure
offered by home ownership or social housing. Social housing targets the most vulnerable and
disadvantaged to provide safe, secure and affordable housing. It plays an important role in
influencing trends in the private rental market.
Greater targeting of social housing means more people in low-income households are competing in
the private rental market. The private rental market needs to be able to provide housing to low-
income households, to relieve demand for social housing and to ensure that social housing is
available to those most disadvantaged and in need.
2 ‘Reform of the Federation White Paper: Roles and Responsibilities in Housing and Homelessness’, Issues Paper 2, December 2014, Australian
Government, Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, page 1.
3 Ibid, page 28.
4 ‘2015 Rental Affordability Snapshot’, Anglicare Australia, page 18.
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Laying the Groundwork - Consultation Paper Residential Tenancies Act Review – Fairer Safer Housing
The disadvantages of private rental can be particularly significant for families and vulnerable and
disadvantaged groups, such as the elderly, those on low incomes, and people with a disability.
Demographic and other changes also mean that there will be a growing number of vulnerable and
disadvantaged groups with complex needs renting privately who may require specialised attention.
For example, commencement of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is likely to lead to
an increase in people with a disability seeking private rental accommodation, with possible
implications for security of tenure, and the ability to make modifications to properties to improve
accessibility. The growth in older tenants may have a similar effect on the demands and
requirements of the private rental market and its regulation.
Delivering safe, affordable and secure housing
All Victorians have a right to safe, affordable and secure housing. A home is the foundation of
financial, social and emotional security. More broadly, housing plays a critical role in the economy
through its impact on workforce productivity and participation.
The Victorian Government recognises that there are a range of factors impacting on Victorians’
housing choices. This includes a growing and ageing population, changes in where people live and
who they live with, and declining levels of housing affordability.