Council should be lobbying for a better outcome for the current Brunswick Public Housing to support housing affordability. The public-private development of state government public housing has resulted in a net loss of state-owned public housing. The State government has essentially sold-off public housing for private residents in some of the most unaffordable areas of Melbourne. However, it should be noted that the best Merri-bek Council can do on this issue is lobby.
It is not yet clear whether “cooperative” or “social” housing initiatives will make any dent in housing affordability. Council has gone to great lengths to support these initiatives, but the jury is out.
What is the “Housing Crisis” and what is being done about it?
There is no one measure of housing affordability. The OECD collects a range of measures on housing affordability. There is no internationally agreed definition for homelessness.
Looking more closely at the policy responses to housing affordability, they are all Federal and State government responsibilities.
The State government has basically removed Local Government’s Planning powers as they relate to areas earmarked for higher-density development, i.e. an increase in the housing supply. Local governments’ other policy objectives for local amenity are basically irrelevant, with the only goal being to increase housing supply. The equity outcomes of that supply rush are unclear. We may simply have a lot more housing that is equally unaffordable as it is now.
If the State government’s approach to increasing density results in similar outcomes as we see in Brunswick, across Victoria, there will undoubtedly be a massive backlash against these policies. At its worst Brunswick’s increasing density is unaffordable, dormitory-style short-term rental accommodation suitable only for white-collar professionals apartment-living.
| Policy^ | Level of government |
| Subsidies, subsidised mortgages and mortgage guarantees to homebuyers to facilitate home ownership: | Federal or State |
| Mortgage relief for over-indebted homeowners | Federal or State |
| Tax relief for homeowners | Federal or State |
| Support to finance housing regeneration: | Federal or State |
| Housing allowances | Federal or State |
| Subsidies to develop affordable housing | Federal or State |
| Social rental housing: | State |
| Tax relief measures for rental costs: | Federal |
| Rent guarantees and deposits: | Federal or State |
| Rent regulations | State |
| COVID-19 various types of support | Federal or State |
Local government’s share of the tax mix i.e. Rates, is not material to the supply of, demand for, or cost of housing.
I have not signed the pledge from the Coalition for Housing Diversity. While I think housing affordability is a key issue, this is primarily a state and federal concern, and encourage you to vote accordingly at the forthcoming Federal (by May 2025) and State (November 2026) elections.
If elected as Councillor, I pledge to advocate for and actively work towards increasing social and key worker housing in my ward and the broader local government area. I believe that more diverse housing options are essential for the wellbeing and success of our local community, and I am committed to ensuring everyone has a safe, secure, and affordable home.
Mel Yuan for Brunswick 
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