We congratulate the Government on their plan to modernise the delivery of public housing maintenance. This allocation will seek new ways to make the logging and tracking of maintenance jobs easier for renters. These are much needed improvements that the VPTA has been calling for over the last several years. Last financial year, 32% of the VPTA’s almost 1,300 cases was helping renters to resolve maintenance issues that had dragged on for far too long.
We look forward to working with Government to deliver these promising improvements.
The food relief grant is a welcomed relief for those impacted by the cost-of-living crisis, however its limitation to inner-urban areas overlooks the struggles faced by residents in other regions. Vulnerable individuals and families residing outside these areas deserve equal access to essential resources and support.
Our survey in July 2023 found that social housing renters regularly report that groceries are one of their three biggest expenditures, and that people are making difficult decisions everyday to afford rent, food and utilities. This includes choosing foods that don’t need to be cooked to cut electricity costs and severely limiting the use of hot water.
Greater support with the cost of food will go a long way towards easing cost pressures for families in high rise buildings. However, with public housing renters experiencing the same, very serious, cost of living pressures across Victoria, its limitation to inner-urban areas overlooks the struggles faced by residents in other regions. Vulnerable individuals and families residing outside these areas deserve equal access to essential resources and support.
While we commend the positive intent behind the budget’s initiatives, it’s evident that there are still significant gaps that need to be addressed.
The Housing Statement’s exclusive focus on high rises neglects the diverse needs of our community outside of Melbourne. The Government has missed an opportunity in this Budget to specify a future pipeline for public housing growth beyond existing renewals projects. It is disheartening to see that our efforts in providing feedback have not translated into meaningful support for expanding access to housing stock.
In recognition of the constrained economic circumstances, Government could have adopted the VPTA’s suggested Housing Asset Bonds in order to quickly meet the shortfall in available public housing for those on the waiting list. They have not decided to do this.
While we commend the positive intent behind the budget’s initiatives for public housing renters, it’s evident that there are still significant gaps that need to be addressed.
We are eager to collaborate with policymakers to bridge these divides and ensure that comprehensive solutions are implemented to meet the diverse needs of all Victorians.