Victorians struggling to pay rent because of multiple coronavirus lockdowns will be eligible for a one-off fifteen-hundred-dollar grant.<\/p>\n
The State Government announced the grant on Monday, as Victoria\u00a0recorded 246 new locally acquired COVID-19 cases.<\/p>\n
Housing Minister Richard Wynne said the $1500 grant would be available to renters paying more than 30 per cent of their income on rent.<\/p>\n
Grants will be targeted at those who have lost at least 20 per cent of their income as a result of the pandemic, backdated to May 27.<\/p>\n
“This is an important initiative, a targeted initiative that is actually going to make a significant difference to people’s lives,” Mr Wynne said.<\/p>\n
He encouraged landlords to show “compassion” to tenants in difficult circumstances.<\/p>\n
Casual workers on holiday and working visas, international students, seasonal workers, refugees, temporary protection visa holders and New Zealand citizens will also be eligible for the payment.<\/p>\n
An annual income limit of $62,860 for singles and $93,400 for couples will apply.<\/p>\n
The government will also spend $45 million to expand its hotels for the homeless program.<\/p>\n
More than 2000 homeless Victorians have been put up in hotels by the State Government during the pandemic, with most moving into long-term rental accommodation and other housing solutions.<\/p>\n
Of the state’s 246 new cases, 121 are linked to known outbreaks.<\/p>\n
There are now a total of 1619 active COVID-19 cases in the state, which will remain under tough lockdown restrictions until at least 70 per cent of eligible Victorians receive their first vaccine dose.<\/p>\n
The state achieved 60 per cent first dose coverage on Sunday and is expected to reach the 70 per cent target by about\u00a018 September, sooner than the government anticipated.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, priority vaccination bookings opened for year 12 students, teachers, exam supervisors and assessors on Monday, as part of a 10-day blitz.<\/p>\n
The state government wants all year 12 students vaccinated with at least one dose before their final exams.<\/p>\n
Several schools, including Gladstone Park Secondary College, Roxburgh College, Point Cook Secondary, Lakeview Senior College and Dandenong High School, will be set up as vaccination hubs.<\/p>\n
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