Gippsland’s housing crisis is coming to a head with 20 households to become homeless when temporary accommodation funding expires in July.
The Nationals Member for Eastern Victoria Region, Melina Bath has asked the Minister for Housing, Richard Wynne to urgently look at every option to support these families who are at immediate risk of homelessness in state parliament.
“The state government funding expires on 28 July 2022 for 67 individuals including 41 children who are living in local motels due to the lack of public and social housing available in Gippsland.
“Unless the Andrews Government intervenes these individuals will have nowhere to live next month.
“Labor must forensically examine all options – transitional housing, public housing, private rentals to place a safe and secure roof for these families, no stone should be left unturned.”
Ms Bath said the emergency housing fund for two to three night stays was extended during Covid to provide longer stay temporary accommodation.
“With the lack of available rentals, rental affordability, the rising cost of living and a serious shortfall of public and social housing the homelessness problem in Gippsland is growing.
“Rising homelessness is causing great stress to local families and it’s placing pressure on support services like Gippsland Homelessness Network.
“In 2020 the Gippsland Homelessness Network made a submission to the Victorian Parliamentary Inquiry into Homelessness outlining the lack of supply of affordable, accessible housing for people on low incomes in Gippsland. [1]
“Quantum Support Services reported in 2020 that their services were being challenged with the growing housing crisis and it was seeing an increase in individuals and families experiencing first-time homelessness.[2]
“Last financial year Quantum spent $624,144 spent on motel accommodation for clients in the Latrobe and Baw Baw area alone.[3]
“The homelessness crisis in Gippsland requires a long-term solution involving more public and social housing, but in the meantime these individuals need immediate support, so they do not become homeless next month.”
[1] https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/images/stories/committees/SCLSI/Inquiry_into_Homelessness_in_Victoria/Submissions/S417_-_Gippsland_Homelessness_Network_Redacted.pdf
[2] Quantum Support Services Annual Report 2020-2021
[3] Quantum Support Services Annual Report 2020-2021
