Wyndham families are still waiting more than two years for a public housing property, despite a drop in the number of people on the waiting list.
Figures released by the state government last week show that in September there were 1122 people on the waiting list for the Footscray housing office, which looks after Wyndham. This included 217 people living in transitional housing.
In June, there were 1223 people waiting for public housing in Footscray.
UnitingCare Werribee Support and Housing deputy chief executive Sue Moger said there were about 40 families in Wyndham waiting for somewhere to live.
She said families on the waiting list had been assessed as unable to obtain or sustain a private rental because they did not earn enough money, had a poor rental history or were battling mental health problems.
Ms Moger said Werribee Support and Housing was struggling to access enough public housing properties in Wyndham, despite a drop in the number of people on the waiting list.
Point Cook’s Jamal Dobbyn, who cares for her disabled adult son in a private rental property that is not suitable for his needs, has waited more than 18 months for public housing.
She was approved for priority placement on the waiting list in May 2012 but is still in a private rental property.
Tarneit Labor MP Tim Pallas
said his office was regularly contacted by people languishing on the waiting list because the government had failed to invest in public housing stock and crisis accommodation.
But Housing Minister Wendy Lovell said the government was reducing waiting times by making people more aware of their options, such as community housing and bond loans for private rental, as well as reviewing turnover procedures.
She said the government prioritised people who had been on the waiting list the longest.
