January 24, 2008 - 9:47AM
The federal government has accused its coalition predecessor of neglect following the release of new reports showing almost 180,000 people are on waiting lists for public housing.
The reports - from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare - also reveal there are 333,085 households living in public rental dwellings, 33,557 in community housing and 12,622 in indigenous housing.
Federal Housing Minister Tanya Plibersek said a third of those on public housing waiting lists were waiting more than two years for a place.
She said more people than ever were in need of affordable housing.
"Many low-income working families are now missing out on social housing altogether," she said.
"The previous government's decade of neglect means that now the most disadvantaged Australians are waiting longer than ever just to get a roof over their heads."
Ms Plibersek said the former Howard government had cut $3.1 billion from social housing in real terms during its time in office.
"These funding cuts mean that low-income working families are finding it harder than ever to get affordable housing.
"(It) has forced the states and territories to target the provision of social housing even more tightly to those in greatest need."
Ms Plibersek said Australian Bureau of Statistics data showed that in 1995, 22 per cent of applicants for social housing were accommodated.
"Ten years later, only 14 per cent were able to move off waiting lists and into housing.
"These are the same working Australians suffering rapid increases in rent which grew by 6.4 per cent in 2007 - more than double the rate of inflation.
Ms Plibersek offered no "silver bullets" to housing affordability but said a national rental affordability scheme would increase, by 50,000, the number of suitable properties.
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