By Alesha Capone
More than 17.000 people are waiting for social housing in the west of the state, including in Melbourne’s western suburbs.
The state government recently released data about the number of Victorians waiting for social housing.
The west division of the list – which includes Wyndham, Hobsons Bay, Maribyrnong, Melton, Brimbank and Greater Geelong – has the highest number of applicants in the state, with 17,045 submissions during the September quarter (in comparison, during June, 16,467 people were awaiting social housing in the region).
More than 10,160 people in the west are listed as needing “priority access” to a new home, including existing tenants who require relocation due to their current property being unsafe due to a reason such as family violence.
The Opposition spokesperson for Housing, Ryan Smith, said almost 53,000 Victorians are waiting for social housing.
Community Information and Support Victoria (CISVic) – a peak body representing 55 local services that deliver emergency relief, information, support and referrals to people in need – has launched a campaign calling on the state government to build 7000 new social and public housing properties per year, across the next decade.
Community agencies, volunteers and students have made thousands of origami houses to raise awareness of the ‘A Home for Everyone’ campaign, which will be on display at The Foyer, Docklands until November 12.
CISVic executive officer Kate Wheller said: “Our member agencies are being overwhelmed by people who are homeless or about to lose their home.
“There is just not enough affordable housing for everyone.
“We need to have a real, commitment to fix this problem once and for all.”
A state government spokesperson said the $5.3 billion Big Housing Build would see more than 12,000 new social housing homes constructed across the state.
“Work is already underway to deliver 111 new social housing homes in four projects in Werribee, Tarneit and Truganina,” the spokesperson said.
“In addition to this, work on 20 new homes is underway in Wyndham as part of the government’s Building New Homes to Fight Homelessness program.”
The spokesperson said the state government was working with community housing organisations, councils and community agencies to unlock land and increase the capacity of social housing providers.
