As Victoria’s financial crisis worsens, the state’s most vulnerable people are again being let down by a government that has failed to build enough homes.
Despite nearly $4.7 billion dollars being spent over the past four years, there is no clear improvement in number of available housing across the state.
Worse still, the Allan Labor Government has flagged cuts to homeless and community housing services so by the end of 2025 the total number of social homes available will in fact decrease from a target of 91,248 to a new 2025 target of 91,148.
Nationals Member for Euroa Annabelle Cleeland said housing concerns are particularly prevalent across regional areas, and that despite high levels of investment, there have been no positive outcomes for locals.
“This Government has mucked about for four years and have wasted almost $5 billion dollars with nothing to show for it,” Ms Cleeland said.
“We are seeing $30 million spent on the wildly overbudget Benalla West project, yet this Government refuses to show a net gain in the number beds it will provide, and the construction of the houses is still years away.
“In the meantime, residents are being kept in the dark about the process and several have already been displaced from their homes and forced to live in neighbouring towns.
“We needed this development over a decade ago. Instead of regularly maintaining the site, this Government has waited until the houses were unliveable before demolishing them and starting again.”
Ms Cleeland said the rest of the electorate has seen variations between a total lack of investment, or overbudget projects that are failing to deliver more affordable and social housing.
“The Strathbogie Shire has seen no new homes built, while the Mitchell Shire has seen $32 million spent for just 43 homes.
“It remains to be seen if there will be a net positive in the amount of housing this will provide, as there is a lack of detail about how many houses have been demolished to make room for these new builds.”
Ms Cleeland says this year’s budget does not bode well for those in vulnerable housing situations, including those that are homeless or escaping domestic violence.
“This year’s budget Performance Statements are shocking reading for Victorians desperate for somewhere to call home,” Ms Cleeland said.
“Families escaping domestic violence and in desperate need of a home are now expected to wait nearly two years, which is more than double Labor’s broken promise of a ten-month wait.”
