Anglicare Victoria has welcomed the recent announcement of 667 new social housing dwellings to be built in Victoria as part of the Federal Government's Nation Building and Economic Stimulus Plan.

Anglicare Victoria CEO, Dr Ray Cleary, said the investment in social housing is a win, win result for low income earners and the Victorian economy.

"An investment in social housing will create jobs, stimulate the economy and begin to address the shortfall in social housing for low income families," said Dr Cleary.

Nationally there is a waiting list of about 180,000 people in need of social housing.

"The supply of public and social housing has been neglected for more than 10 years," said Dr Cleary.

"This announcement by the Rudd Government is the first step towards reversing that trend and giving disadvantaged families a secure place to call home during difficult economic times."

Anglicare Victoria have welcomed stimulus payments for low income groups in the past but has called for any further stimulus spending to be directed towards improving infrastructure or increasing skills to underwrite the future prosperity of all Australians.

"The announcement of $117 million for the construction of the new homes by July 2010 is a blueprint for future spending initiatives," said Dr Cleary.

"It will help keep the economy afloat while delivering a tangible result for vulnerable members of our community."

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