Wyndham has the highest rate of rental evictions in Melbourne, with more than 260 people removed from their homes in the past financial year.
New data from the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal, which issues eviction warrants, reveals that in 2012-13, 263 people were evicted from rental properties in Wyndham – up from 231 in 2011-12 and 190 in 2010-11.
A total of 684 warrants were executed in Wyndham between July 2010 and June this year.
Brimbank had the most evictions over the past three financial years, with 707 warrants issued.
Tarneit had Wyndham’s highest number of evictions, 177 people being removed from their homes during the same period.
UnitingCare Werribee Support and Housing deputy chief executive Sue Moger said that for many renters, the real cost of living in the outer suburbs was starting to bite. “Real estate agents from city areas were offering honeymoon rates for newly built properties in the new, developing areas in Wyndham,’’ she said. ‘‘After the honeymoon period the rent would be increased, for example from $250 to $320 per week.”
Ms Moger said there was also a high number of migrants living in Wyndham who were not eligible for Centrelink benefits and often struggled to meet their rental payments.
Salvation Army social justice worker Judith Sutcliffe said that each week the organisation was turning away between 17 and 20 families who were looking for help to buy food.
Last month, she told the state government’s community cabinet forum in Werribee that the problem was being exacerbated by a lack of crisis accommodation in the city.
Victorian Council of Social Service chief executive Emma King said eviction rates were high in outer areas such as Wyndham because there was poor access to jobs and services.
“Affordable housing is not affordable if it is offset by other costs, such as distance from jobs, education, health-care and community services, and with few transport options,” she said.
“This is further evidence of the social problems resulting from decades of poor planning.”
