Victoria has cemented its place as the worst state for affordable housing, new data reveals. Source: News.com.au.
Council to Homeless Persons chief executive Deborah Di Natale says new data shows Victoria is “desperately behind” the rest of the country on public and community housing.
The latest figures from the federal Australian Institute of Health and Welfare show Victoria has about 30 per cent more people asking for help from homelessness services than New South Wales or Queensland.
Victoria also has the lowest amount of social housing as a proportion of total housing stock in Australia, with just 2.8 per cent of dwellings being public or community housing.
“Rising rents and low vacancy rates are pushing people to the brink of homelessness,” Ms Di Natale said.
“While some economic indicators show inflation is moderating, it’s clear from these figures the housing crisis is actually getting worse.”
This month the Allen Government announced a fast-tracked application to build a 62-apartment, 14-storey block of affordable homes in Melbourne’s southeastern suburb of Frankston.
The government has also committed $48 million over three years to get 500 families long-term housing and social support. The funding goes to eight agencies, including Melbourne City Mission and Sacred Heart Mission.
But data shows homelessness is getting more prevalent.
Homelessness in Victoria rose 24 per cent at the last census to more than 30,000 people being without a home on census night in 2021.
In March, there were 58,459 applications for public and community housing on the waiting list.
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Victoria ‘desperately behind’ on affordable housing, data shows (News.com.au)
