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Big Housing Build initiative fails as social housing decreases in Gippsland

Despite the Big Housing Build initiative, social housing in Gippsland declines. Danny O'Brien criticises Labor's strategy, citing fewer available homes and maintenance issues, urging immediate action for vulnerable residents.

By news@gippsland - 22nd November 2023 - Back to News

Social housing stock in Gippsland has decreased, despite the Allan Labor government's much-touted Big Housing Build program. According to data recently released by the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH) social housing stock across the six local government areas that make up Gippsland has decreased from 4,874 when Labor first formed government in 2015, to 4,834 as of 30 June 2023.

Gippsland's social housing dropped from 4,874 in 2015 to 4,834 by June 2023, per Department of Families, Fairness, and Housing

Housing availability concerns

The Nationals Member for Gippsland South, Danny O'Brien said this data was evidence of a government that gives with one hand and takes away with the other. "Labor has been touting its Big Housing Build and giving the impression that it is doing all it can to increase the availability of homes for those at risk of homelessness, but this data shows a different story."

"In my electorate of Gippsland South the Labor government has claimed that Big Housing Build has seen 42 new homes in the Wellington Shire and six for South Gippsland. In reality there are actually three less social houses available across the two local government areas than there were when Labor first formed government in 2015. This data suggests that the government is merely shifting current clients around and moving them into new homes as they demolish or sell their previous home," Mr O'Brien said.

Home care dilemma

Mr O'Brien said the availability of social housing is crucial to assist the most vulnerable residents of our community who are at risk of homelessness for a variety of reasons. "Anecdotally, I am regularly contacted by constituents who claim their social housing has become unlivable because of a lack of routine maintenance that has led to much larger issues with their property."

"Under the Labor government we have seen a very consistent two-year wait for social housing and this data shows that despite a lot of big talk from Labor, we cannot expect that number to reduce any time soon."

"The Allan Labor government must stop chasing its tail and act now to improve the maintenance of our current housing stock while continuing to build more to ensure we are in a position to improve outcomes for vulnerable Gippslanders," he said.

Pictures from Department of Families, Fairness and Housing - VIC Facebook page.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com