A range of other social indicators evident in the 2016 census highlight the vulnerability of many residents across the City of Greater Geelong to increasing housing costs including:
- 6 percent of the population needs assistance due to age or a disability compared to 4.9 percent for Greater Melbourne
- 11.1 percent are one parent families compared to 10.1 percent in Greater Melbourne
- 26.3 percent are lone person households compared to 23.2 percent in Greater Melbourne
- 1 percent of the population are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islanders (2 407 people) compared to 0.5 percent in Greater Melbourne
- 6.4 percent are unemployed compared to 6.8 percent in Greater Melbourne
- 21.1 percent of households live on low incomes compared to 16.7 percent in Greater Melbourne
- 15.8 percent of households have no internet connection compared to 11.3 percent in Greater Melbourne
- 16.9 percent of people from overseas arrived in the area since 2011
- Between 164 - 110 Asylum Seekers arrived per month between 2014 – 2019 (‘Irregular Maritime Arrivals’)
- On average there have been 1 338 police call outs for ‘family Incidents’ (related to domestic violence) per year 2013 - 2018
- Geelong is a relatively disadvantaged area with a SEIFA [10] Index of 994. 16 small areas are relatively disadvantaged with significant levels of disadvantage evident in Corio (830) Whittington (821) and Norlane/North Shore (731)
Number of households living in social housing in Geelong
There are 3 300 households recorded as living in social housing in Geelong (ABS 2016). This comprises about two thirds public housing and one third community housing.
The number of households renting social housing has stayed relatively constant since 2001 while population has grown by 24 percent and the number of households has grown by about 10 percent (Figure 9).
This reflects increasing demand for social housing without a commensurate increase in social housing stock. As a result the proportion of households renting social housing has dropped from 4.2 percent (2011) to 3.6 percent (2016).
Figure 9: Number of Households Renting Social Housing - 2001-2016
Source: ABS 2016
In the period 2011 – 2016 there were increases in all housing tenures except for social housing (Figure 13). Importantly the number of households renting privately increased by 3 500 households (nearly 20 percent) from 2011 to 2016.
Figure 10: Housing Tenure - 2011–2016
Source: ABS 2016
Social housing areas in Geelong
The distribution of social housing across Geelong is very uneven. This is a remnant of the post war development of housing for employees in Geelong’s industries and in particular the investment in public housing by the State Government to create new suburbs at East Geelong Norlane and Corio.
Five Areas account for nearly 84 percent of social housing tenants in Geelong. By contrast there is relatively little social housing on the Bellarine Peninsula and in the growth area of Armstrong Creek.
Table 9: Areas with relatively high proportion of social housing
| Area | Suburbs | Proportion of all social housing tenants | Social housing as a proportion of all housing |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | Corio Norlane | 40% | 14% |
| 6 | Newcomb South Geelong St Albans and Whittington | 20% | 8% |
| 7 | Grovedale Waurn Ponds | 8% | 4% |
| 8 | Belmont Highton | 9% | 2% |
| 10 | Geelong West Newtown | 7% | 3% |
| Other | 16% | ||
| Total | 100% | ||
Source: ABS 2016
This high concentration of social housing in particular areas has contributed to higher levels of disadvantage in Corio Norlane and the Whittington area.
The expressed unmet demand (social housing waiting lists
The number of households on the social housing waiting list provides complementary information about the demand for social housing. Households on the waiting list are likely to be experiencing housing stress or homelessness.
Table 10: Number of Households on Social Housing Waiting List - 2018
| Area (office) | Priority Access | Register of Interest | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barwon (Geelong) | 1 610 | 1 089 | 2 699 |
Source: DHHS Dec 2018
Table 11: Number of Households on the Office of Housing Transition List December - 2018
| Area (office) | Priority Access | Register of Interest | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barwon (Geelong) | 206 | 189 | 395 |
Source: DHHS Dec 2018
As indicated the number of households on the waiting list is the ‘expressed demand’ and does not represent the actual demand for social housing. There are many households in rental stress who do not register because they are aware of the significant waiting times or because they wish to avoid the perceived stigma of becoming a public housing tenant.