Victoria’s worsening housing crisis has been further exposed, with concerns raised that the State Labor Government’s much-publicised $5 billion housing commitment is failing to increase overall supply.
Promoted as a major boost to housing stock, evidence suggests many projects are simply replacing decommissioned stock rather than adding new residences.
Gippsland East State MP, Tim Bull,
has taken the issue to State Parliament
following complaints that four social housing properties in Orbost have been sitting
vacant for months.
Three of the unoccupied dwellings
are designated Aboriginal Housing
properties, intended to support the local Indigenous community.
“We are in the middle of a housing crisis, yet we have four government-owned houses sitting empty in Orbost as an example – and many more across the region,” Mr Bull said.
“Every social housing property must be utilised, particularly when demand is so high.
“To see a net loss of homes in Orbost is deeply worrying and only intensifies
pressure on families already struggling to find accommodation.”
Mr Bull said he had been advised one property would soon be tenanted, which he welcomed. However, two homes
require significant refurbishment and will remain vacant until funding is allocated, while another is earmarked to be sold on the private market.
“It is disheartening to see homes damaged
to the point of being uninhabitable, left waiting for funding to bring them back into service,” he said.
“Selling off social housing during a housing crisis sends entirely the wrong message.”
Mr Bull has called on the responsible Minister Danny Pearson, to urgently allocate the necessary funds to Aboriginal Housing Victoria and get these homes back in service.
“I implore the Minister to assign funding immediately to repair these properties and return them to service,” he said.
“These homes are critical community
assets and must be used to house local
families in need.”
