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State government urged to address Gippsland's housing crisis as 6,000 origami homes placed on the steps of the parliament highlighting the demand

Ahead of Homelessness Week, Danny O'Brien has urged the state government to reveal Gippsland's housing crisis. He highlights that social housing dwellings have decreased since 2015 and calls for transparency.

By news@gippsland - 2nd August 2024 - Back to News

The state government has been called on to reveal the true state of the housing crisis in Gippsland ahead of Homelessness Week next week. The Nationals Member for Gippsland South, Danny O'Brien has raised questions in State Parliament as 6,000 origami homes were placed on the steps of Parliament, highlighting just one tenth of the current public housing waiting list.

The Nationals Member for Gippsland South Danny O'Brien with Gippsland housing workers Kristen Atkinson, Tracey Donaldson and Heidi Hunter on the steps of State Parliament this week

Gippsland's growing crisis

Mr O'Brien said in the three municipalities that make up Gippsland South, the number of social housing dwellings had actually fallen since 2015. He has asked the government to provide the true state of waiting lists in the Gippsland region. "I was inspired to see the commitment from housing workers and advocacy groups at Parliament this week and hear the stories from local housing workers in Gippsland about how difficult it is for many people to find homes at the moment."

"These 6,000 origami homes represent just ten per cent of the roughly 60,000 Victorians who are currently waiting for social housing. I am very aware that many more are struggling to find or afford somewhere to live in the private and rental markets," he said.

Mr O'Brien also said, "Victoria is in the midst of a housing crisis and with a 60 percent decrease in rentals across Gippsland that are affordable for households reliant on Centrelink income. It is no wonder that homelessness is a growing problem in Gippsland. The reality is that homelessness can be a somewhat invisible problem and I think many people might be shocked to learn that more than 7,000 people sought help from homelessness services in Gippsland in 2022-23 alone."

Urgent housing solutions

Mr O'Brien said Gippsland's local organisations do an amazing job providing support for those at risk of homelessness within their limited budgets and staffing levels, but they will simply continue to tread water unless the Allan Labor government steps up and offers real solutions.

"Labor has talked a big game touting its Big Housing Build, but the reality is it has failed to actually deliver an increase in social housing in our region. More particularly, Labor's burgeoning land and property taxes and new requirements for rental providers have seen more and more rental properties withdrawn from the market, pushing up rents, at the same time as making it harder to build new homes," Mr O'Brien concluded.

If you or someone you know is experiencing or at risk of homelessness, please contact the state-wide homelessness service on 1800 825 955 or visit Gippsland Homelessness Network website.

Pictures from Danny O'Brien MP website.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com