Record numbers of Victorians are waiting for a roof over their heads as the Andrews Labor Government continues to mismanage Victoria’s public housing system.
New figures released by the Victorian Housing Register confirm 67,120 Victorians were on the public housing waitlist as of December 2022, an increase of 3,376 people over the previous 12 months.
Furthermore, average waiting times for those on the list have blown out, with the urgent public housing category now nearly two years.
Despite the Andrews Labor Government claims that it has spent billions on public housing, the number of public housing properties has increased by just 74 since 2018.
Member for Euroa, Annabelle Cleeland, said vulnerable regional Victorians were being let down by the Andrews Labor Government’s mismanagement of Victoria’s public housing stock.
“Stable housing is essential to helping those in need get back on their feet but under the Andrews Labor Government things are getting worse, not better,” Ms Cleeland said.
“Despite claims of record investments, public housing stock remains stagnant as more and more vulnerable Victorians are added to the waiting list each week.
“Vulnerable Victorians deserve better than a tired government that only delivers longer waiting lists, longer waiting times and a no significant increase in number of suitable new homes.”
Ms Cleeland said waiting lists across the region for priority applications remain high.
“Right across the Hume region we have waitlist for housing completely out of control,” Ms Cleeland said.
“There are hundreds of people urgently waiting for housing in towns across our region including Seymour, Benalla, and the Broadford District.
“I am regularly contacted by people who are in desperate need of housing, and they are continually being told there is simply no supply to house them.”
The Shadow Minister for Housing Affordability, Jess Wilson, will visit the region later this week to discuss issues facing the regional housing industry.
“The Andrews Government has done all the PR and marketing work but failed to deliver for regional Victorians in need,” Ms Cleeland said.
“The Liberals and Nationals are committed to advocating for housing solutions that make a real difference for regional individuals and families.”
