Victorian government's social housing investment a vital first step
Council to Homeless Persons
Council to Homeless Persons has warmly welcomed the Victorian government’s commitment to build 7,000 new social housing properties, describing the $860 million investment as an important first step in addressing the housing crisis.
“This is a significant and welcome investment, and we congratulate the Victorian government for making it,” said Deborah Di Natale, CEO of Council to Homeless Persons.
“Seven thousand new social housing properties will make a real difference to real people. That includes families on waiting lists, people sleeping rough, and the tens of thousands caught in the revolving door of the private rental market.
“But we have to be honest about the scale of the crisis we’re facing. 39,000 people in greatest need are languishing on Victoria’s priority housing waiting list right now. These seven thousand homes announced by the government are not nearly enough to offer hope to them.
“Modelling by SGS Economics tells us Victoria needs to construct 7,990 new social homes every year for the next ten years - around 80,000 in total - just to lift Victoria up to the national average of social housing.
“This announcement represents barely 10 per cent of what Infrastructure Victoria has recommended the Victorian government build over the decade.
“The waiting list is longer than it has ever been. People are waiting years for a home they should be able to access now. This investment needs to be the foundation of something bigger, a long-term, sustained commitment to social housing that meets the crisis.”
CHP is calling for a mix of public and community housing in the new build, as the Productivity Commission found that only 36 new public housing dwellings were built over the last 9 years.
“We look forward to working with the government to build on this welcome first step and make sure no Victorian is left without a safe place to call home.”
Contact details:
Matt Coughlan 0400 561 480 / [email protected]