National social housing survey 2023

Broadly, a goal of social housing is to provide affordable, safe and secure housing to those with limited opportunity to access other forms of housing (Freund et al. 2022). Social housing has been found to reduce financial burden, increase levels of support, and often remove individuals from situations where their wellbeing might be at risk of harm (Taylor et al. 2023). The greater security of tenure provided by social housing has been found to have multiple benefits such as the creation of safer and better resourced communities, boosting economic mobility, and the improvement of physical and mental health (Baumgartner et al. 2023). 

Although tenants typically gain multiple benefits from living in social housing, benefits are not guaranteed (Cheshire et al. 2014; Muir et al. 2020; Ong et al. 2022; Pawson et al. 2020). Holding et al. (2019) note that individuals living in social housing are 1.5 times more likely to suffer with poor mental health, and 4 times more likely to report that the condition of their housing has a negative impact on their health. To explore whether the social housing provided to tenants improved their health and wellbeing, tenants were asked about some of the benefits they perceived to gain from living in social housing. 

This section categorises the specific benefits surveyed into the following 3 broad life domains: economic, health and social (Figure Benefits.1), and reports some of the results relating to the specific benefits nominated in the questionnaire. 

Figure Benefits.1: Life domains included in the National social housing survey

Tenants gained economic, health and social benefits 

In 2023, around 80% of tenants reported benefits across all life domains – economic, social and health. However, tenants reported benefits across 2 domains more often than 3 (Figure Benefits.2, Table S2.1). Nonetheless, almost all tenants reported gaining at least one broad benefit from living in social housing – be it economic (97%), health (95%) or social (92%).  

‘We live in a beautiful place. We have access to good schools.’

‘I feel so blessed that housing has been given to me. I love where I am, I love the neighbours, I love the convenience of where I live and I love the care that I’m given. I’m eternally grateful.’ 

‘Feel more secure, without financial issues of private housing. I feel very supported in this home.’

Figure Benefits.2: Benefits of living in social housing by broad category, 2023

Although the reported benefits of living in social housing were relatively similar across states and territories as well as all 3 housing programs, SOMIH tenants generally reported benefits across all domains and combinations of domains at a higher proportion than the other housing programs (Figure Benefits 3.1, Table S2.1).

Across all the housing programs, the most common benefits for tenants were ‘feeling more settled’ (94%), ‘being able to manage rent/money better’ (93%), and ‘able to continue living in the area’ (91%) (Figure Benefits.3, Table S2.2). The least common benefit tenants reported across all programs was ‘feeling more able to start or continue education/training’ (75%), and ‘feeling more able to improve their job situation’ (72%).

‘Have amazing access to shops and the centre of town. Transport is super easy to access with tram being just a five min walk down the road and bus stop out the front of my house. My therapy service is a short trip on the tram. Can be finally settled in my own house after being in and out of refuges and transitional housing for 5 years.’

‘It is a benefit to be secure in my housing, no fear of unexpected rent increases, no unexpected selling or eviction. This security and stability is so crucial, to not only myself but my children, the stress relief improves all of our daily financial functions and enables us to set goals and achieve them.’

‘I feel part of a small community of people like myself and more secure than in any private rentals. Also able to cope with the cost of living better.’

‘The benefits for me are the rent affordability, knowing that the landlord isn't going to sell and I would have to find an alternative place to live, feeling safe and secure in the community and very close to services e.g. buses shops and doctors.’

Figure Benefits.3: Benefits by housing program, states and territories, 2023

Tenants in outer regional and remote areas felt various psychosocial benefits

‘Stability and able to make the house our home without fear of having to move. Improved mental health. Sense of belonging. Making long term friends in the local community. Can make gardens. Allowed to make minor alterations e.g. shade sails and air conditioning.’

‘I feel blessed to have safe, secure and affordable housing; where I am connected with our community, we look out for each other.’

Tenants living in outer regional and remote and very remote areas felt ‘part of the local community’ (87% and 90%, respectively) at significantly higher proportions than those living in other areas and reported ‘better access to public transport’ (83% and 66%) at a significantly lower proportion compared with tenants in other areas. Tenants living in outer regional areas reported all health and social benefits, as well as ‘able to manage rent/money better’ at significantly higher proportions than those living in other areas (Figure Benefits.4, Table S2.4).

Figure Benefits.4: Benefits by social housing program and remoteness area, 2023

Tenants reported other benefits

Tenants were provided an option to report any additional benefits they felt as a result of being in social housing. Many of the comments reiterated benefits of the domains, with tenants commenting about the positive impact housing stability had on their overall wellbeing. This included being able to avoid homelessness, improved mental health and improved family relationships. 

‘Since employment opportunities are few & far between these days & job stability is not what it once was due to the economy, I can rest easier knowing that my rent will be adjusted to more or less accommodate my financial situation, whatever it may be. I've been homeless once; I never want to be in that situation again.’

‘Security for starters. I still have nightmares about being homeless. This flat is weatherproof, snake and vermin free, my own space to live and exist. I have established an orchard and a vegetable garden in the back yard. First time in many, many years I have had a secure place to live a simple life and just ’be’.’

‘Housing has helped me a lot thank you for looking after homeless women in general.’