Some of Wyndham’s most vulnerable residents are waiting up to five years for public housing despite being placed on a high-priority list, according to welfare agency Werribee Support and Housing.
The organisation’s chief executive, Carol Muir, said people considered to be in a crisis and facing complex issues were waiting between two and five years to secure a public housing property.
Those on the general waiting list are being advised they may never get an offer.
The revelations come after the Human Services Department revealed that the number of people on its Footscray office waiting list decreased by three between March and June this year.
The office handles public housing requests from Wyndham, Hobsons Bay and Maribyrnong.
Department figures show there were 1122 people on the waiting list in March, with 212 waiting to be transferred to other properties.
In June, there were 1119 people on the waiting list, with 221 people waiting for a transfer.
A department spokeswoman said while the waiting list had decreased by three people, many more might have found public housing in the June quarter.
Ms Muir said most Werribee Support and Housing clients who were on the public housing waiting list had moved into private rental properties, which were consuming large portions of their income or Centrelink benefits.
“It is their only real option,’’ she said. ‘‘We are hearing of people who are using 50 to 80 per cent of their benefits to pay for private rentals.
‘‘In our crisis program, we have come across people who are living without water, gas and electricity. Once a week we come across people living in these conditions.
‘‘Many people waiting for public housing are prepared to make tough choices to put a roof over their heads because they need to have somewhere safe and secure to live.”
The department’s spokeswoman said help was offered to people who wanted to rent privately. “Crisis and emergency accommodation options are also available for those who are escaping family violence or at risk of homelessness.”
