The Victorian Public Tenants Association (VPTA) launched its Homes for All Campaign, calling for more public housing for Victorians today.
The campaign is backed by over 20 organisations, including Victorian Trades Hall Council, National Shelter, VCOSS, Tenants Victoria, Council to Homeless Persons, Justice Connect, Launch Housing, and the Federation of Community Legal Centres.
Mark Feenane, Executive Officer of the VPTA, said the campaign couldn’t come soon enough, with Victoria in the midst of a housing crisis.
“Recently released figures show that 45,389 applicants are now on the public housing waiting list – up by more than 1,300 in the last 3 months alone.”
“Victoria’s population is exploding and massive house prices are locking a generation out of home ownership, creating more renters than ever before.”
“Growing competition for rental properties is causing rents to skyrocket, so more and more Victorians can no longer afford to rent in the private rental market. This is putting even more pressure on public housing, but our stock hasn’t grown in any real way in the last twenty years.”
With less than four months until the State Election, the Homes for All Campaign will call on all sides of politics to commit to:
- Build at least 2,000 new public housing properties each year over the next decade;
- Renew run-down public housing properties that are passed their use-by date, and;
- Include public housing in new developments
Mr Feenane emphasised the need for bi-partisan support to tackle the housing crisis.
“On any given night, almost 25,000 Victorians are homeless and another million are living in housing stress – this is a state shame.”
“Every Victorian deserves the safety and security of a home, but right now it’s just a dream for too many.”
“Having a home gives each person the foundation they need to take care of everything else. We need to see real action so that every Victorian in need has access to public housing.”
For more information about the Homes for All Campaign and how you can get involved, visit www.homesforall.com.au or email homesforall@vpta.org.au.