Latest housing figures have called into question Victoria's ability to meet its big build target and shortages in the sector.
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Data from the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing shows Victoria's public housing stock has gone from 64,326 in mid-2018 to 64,720 in mid-2023.
That's an increase of 394 properties over the past five years.
The state's general rental waiting list for public housing has soared from 37,996 to 55,537, an increase of more than 17,500.
Net housing stock totals can fluctuate as outdated dwellings are demolished to make way for modern and accessible homes.
Other reasons include community housing providers selling or demolishing the houses they own and the government handing back short-term lease properties.
In late 2020, the Victorian government committed to building more than 12,000 social and affordable homes as part of a four-year, $5.3 billion Big Housing Build plan.
The package was slated to deliver 9300 new homes and replace 1100 existing public housing units.
"This will change lives - giving thousands of Victorians the security and stability of a home," then-premier Daniel Andrews said at the time.
His successor as premier Jacinta Allan said about 3000 homes had been completed under the program, with another 4600 under construction.
It leaves 4400 homes unaccounted for.
Ms Allan stopped short of declaring all 12,000 dwellings would be completed by the end of 2024, pointing to supply chain disruptions.
"We're working as hard as we can with the local industry," she told reporters at parliament on Wednesday.
"What's important is there's already thousands and thousands more homes that have been built and thousands and thousands more under way."
In one of his final acts as premier, Mr Andrews unveiled the government's housing statement in September, with its aim to build 800,000 homes across Victoria over the next decade.
Opposition housing spokesman Richard Riordan said the latest public housing figures were an indictment on the government's ability to manage big projects and look after Victoria's most vulnerable.
"What's worse is all Victorians need an extra 800,000 homes over the next 10 years and we've a seen a government that can only produce less than 400 in five years," he said.
"It's just not going to be possible."
Australian Associated Press
