Helping people keep their homes before they fall into crisis is the top homelessness priority for Victorians surveyed in new research commissioned by St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria and conducted by RMIT University.
Released as Victoria heads to the November 28 state election and as Victorians feel the compounding effects of five interest rate rises this year, the research confirms that housing security is increasingly a cost-of-living concern.
Nearly two in three Victorians (65 per cent) believe cost-of-living is a leading cause of homelessness, while half said it was their most important voting issue.
“Keeping people housed is cost-of-living relief, and we need a long-term plan for it,” Ray Kelleher, Acting Group Chief Executive Officer at St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria, said.
“Homelessness is a vote-shifter for nearly two in three (64 per cent) Victorians telling us they would be more likely to vote for a party with a commitment to increasing investment into homelessness, and prevention programs are the leading priority for funding,” he said.
Nearly nine in 10 (89 per cent) supported increased government investment in prevention programs. Almost half of respondents (49 per cent) ranked preventing homelessness before it occurs as their highest priority for what governments should do to address homelessness, more than double the 23 per cent who ranked building more social housing first.
“Prevention means helping people meet short-term housing costs, resolve tenancy problems and access assistance before they hit crisis point,” Mr Kelleher said. “Our members and volunteers are in local communities, listening and supporting with everything from a food hamper or bill relief to referring to our expert financial counselling and no-interest loan services, helping people to rebuild their lives with stability.”
Report co-author at RMIT, Meg Elkins, said the findings demonstrate an understanding that homelessness is not simply an individual problem or the responsibility of charities.
“Governments at all levels, working alongside community organisations, have important and complementary roles,” Associate Professor Elkins said.
“The research provides new evidence on community views in Victoria about homelessness policy, government responsibility and alternative approaches to addressing homelessness. These insights can inform policy advocacy, strengthen public communication and support conversations with government and other stakeholders.”
Victorians expect the state government to lead on policy and funding solutions to address the homelessness crisis, ahead of federal and local government responsibility, the research shows.
Respondents backed a funding approach that encourages more partnership between government, charities and the private sector.
Vinnies is calling on Victoria’s political parties to commit to a three-year Homelessness Prevention Package ahead of this month’s election, to help people keep the homes they already have.
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Keeping people housed is cost-of living relief (St Vincent de Paul Victoria)
