SHEPPARTON’S social housing wait times have reached crisis point with the number of families requiring assistance soaring to 1,568. In the September 2021 quarter alone, 47 families joined the waiting list, adding to a 360.56 percent increase.
The September waiting list data released last week revealed that the list of vulnerable families languishing on the Social Housing Waiting list in Shepparton has reached an all-time high.
Of even greater concern is the escalating number of families on the ‘priority housing list’ which has more than quadrupled, increasing by 649 families to reach a total of 829 families. Priority applicants include the most vulnerable community members including those who are homeless, at risk of homelessness, escaping domestic violence or living with a disability or special housing need.
The Department of Families, Fairness and Housing’s Annual Report revealed that the wait time for access to housing for those on the ‘priority list’ has extended from 8.7 months in June 2014 to 12.4 months in June 2021. That’s an additional 3.7 months before vulnerable families are housed, an increase in waiting time of 43 percent.
In September, the Andrews Government announced that they would acquire only 25 new social housing properties in Shepparton.
“This investment was so inadequate it wouldn’t even house the 47 families who joined the waiting list in the September quarter and leaves 1543 families languishing on the ever-growing waiting list,” said Liberal Member for Northern Victoria, Wendy Lovell.
Greater Shepparton Lighthouse executive officer, Lisa McKenzie, said staff constantly shared their concerns about the lack of housing options for some of our community’s most vulnerable citizens.
“Many live in very poor quality and unsuitable housing. Families are forced to share houses with other families. Young people are couch surfing and exposed to all sorts of risk and it can take, weeks, months and even years to find a viable option,” Mrs McKenzie said.
“This is a massive issue preventing many people from being able to create a safe and stable environment to raise children.”
The latest data on homeless Victorians also reveals the extent of Shepparton’s housing crisis with our homeless population, 372, being the highest in regional Victoria.
