Homelessness surge affecting thousands

THOUSANDS of people are facing uncertainty as the region experiences the largest growth in homelessness across the state.

The latest data provided by the state government revealed almost 7,500 applications have been lodged for social housing across the region, with the applicants not yet housed.

It comes as a report prepared by the Council to Homeless Persons (CHP) revealed an increase in homelessness across the South Barwon electorate by more than 460 per cent over the past five years, but indicated the surge was in part due to more accurate housing data.

The report further detailed that on any given night across the state there were more than 30,600 people experiencing homelessness, including people living in their cars or on the street, boarding houses, placed in temporary accommodation and those living in severely overcrowded dwellings.

CHP chief executive officer, Deborah Di Natale said wait times for public housing could soon reach 16.5 months for those on the priority waitlist, while indicating a need for at least 60,000 new social housing properties within the next 10 years.

“This investment is not just necessary, it’s critical to stemming the tide of homelessness.

“We can’t stand by and watch as this crisis continues to unfold. It’s time to act decisively and make a commitment that will lead to real, lasting change.

“We’re hopeful the Victorian government wants to address homelessness head-on.”

A Victorian government spokesperson said more than 58,000 people were waiting on social housing across the state, with the figure not including those requesting transfers.

It comes as the occupancy rate for public housing properties in the region are at 100 per cent on the Surf Coast and 97 per cent in Greater Geelong.

“We know there is an urgent need for social and affordable housing right across Victoria, which is why work is already underway to deliver 520 new homes across Geelong as part of the Andrews Labor Government’s landmark $5.3 billion Big Housing Build,” the spokesperson said.

“We are working closely with local councils to re-tenant and redevelop vacant properties as quickly as possible and stand ready to do more if and when the federal Greens and Liberal National parties stop blocking the Housing Australia Future Fund, which would deliver thousands more homes to Victoria.”

On a state level, the government has invested $191 million into social and affordable housing in the region under the Big Housing Build, exceeding its promised minimum investment of $180 million.

As part of the local investment, the state government is redeveloping a social housing block on Ormond St in East Geelong, which will deliver more than 50 new homes.

Construction was set to start in late 2022, but the project is presently facing delays, with demolition now slated for the coming months.