While Australian Bureau of Statistics data indicates a reduction in available social housing, the Department of Housing says it is working with other agencies to meet regional demand.

The figures show that as of June last year there were 1148 government-owned dwellings in Mildura with 1121 of those occupied and 27 vacant.

That was 34 fewer than at the same time in 2007, with 1157 of the 1182 occupied.

However, a spokesman for the Minister for Housing Richard Wynne, yesterday said some of those dwellings had been transferred to local housing associations and others sold because they were no longer economically viable.

“The State Government is in the process of identifying new construction and purchasing opportunities to grow and improve the stocks of affordable housing,” the spokesman said.

For more of this story, purchase your copy of Saturday’s Sunraysia Daily 04/07/2009.