Innovations in stock matching and allocations

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This Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute (AHURI) research examines whether current social housing allocation and matching policies and practices meet the needs of applicants or tenants and maximise social housing sector performance and efficiency outcomes.

It looks at how to optimise housing stock allocations based on individual needs (including the role of support) and neighbourhood and community needs (avoiding concentrations of disadvantage and potential antisocial behaviour).

Review and Findings

The research reviewed international and Australian policy, interviewed stakeholders across four jurisdictions (QLD, VIC, TAS and SA), developed an evaluation framework (Social Return on Investment – SROI) for housing allocation strategies.

The research findings suggest governments should view the social housing sector as part of the larger housing market rather than as a separate, standalone system. The sector would benefit from expanding its limited target from tenants with highest need for housing integrated with other support, through to people with high need for housing but no need for other support, to people in need of affordable housing only in various forms.

Further Reading

Innovations in stock matching and allocations: the social housing challenge here.

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