Tuesday, 16 August 2022

Bass electorate social housing

Ms CRUGNALE (Bass) (19:08): (6479) My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Housing. The action I seek is an update on the Big Housing Build and for the minister of course to visit Bass to join me in meeting with local community advocates and service representatives. Our government recognises that homelessness comes in a myriad of forms for a myriad of reasons, and to begin to address this our government’s landmark $5.3 billion Big Housing Build investment is delivering 12 000 new homes right across the state. This program is changing lives. In the Casey area, part of my electorate, we are seeing 42 homes, worth $14.1 million in government funding, creating 183 jobs, happening at the moment. In Cardinia a $14 million investment has come into the shire, delivering 29 new social housing homes, and this is in partnership with the Haven Foundation and Centacare housing services.

Housing availability, however, continues to be a major challenge right across my electorate but also in the Bass Coast shire, where we have committed a minimum of $25 million towards addressing this. There are currently six projects progressing, with two sites purchased and $3 million in funding so far. However, in Wonthaggi, Phillip Island and surrounds there are still a significant number of vulnerable people on the waiting list for social housing, and this is having a profound impact on my community. When we have people, families and children amongst us that are struggling, doing it tough and not travelling so well, then we are not well as a community or society.

Can I ask the minister to provide an update on the social housing projects in my electorate and the supports the government is delivering in the Bass electorate and Bass Coast and to take up the offer to meet with local residents and representatives to discuss these important investments. Everyone deserves the security and stability of a home. I look forward to the update from the minister.