Wednesday, 28 May 2025

Housing

Will FOWLES (Ringwood) (10:38): I rise today to speak about the housing conversation I broadcast last week, an important conversation about Victoria’s housing crisis. It is a crisis affecting the lives of real people every single day. I was joined by Major Brendan Nottle, the commanding officer of the Salvation Army; Cr Sarah McKenzie, the deputy mayor of the City of Yarra; and Rob Pradolin, executive director of Housing All Australians. Throughout the discussion one thing was painfully clear: the time for talking is over. This crisis demands urgent, non-partisan action.

Housing is not just a roof over someone’s head; it is the foundation of health, dignity and security, yet far too many Victorians wake up every day without a safe place to call home. As winter approaches, I urge everyone to remember those left out in the cold: our most vulnerable people living in fear and uncertainty. Our discussions explored real solutions, including the Housing First principle, an approach that ensures stable housing is the very first step in solving homelessness. When that piece of the puzzle is in place, so many other challenges become easier to address – employment opportunities improve, mental and physical health stabilise, and social connections can be rebuilt. Simply put, housing is the critical foundation on which people can begin to rebuild their lives.

I thank my panellists for their dedication and insight. They showed that across industry, government and the community sector there is a shared commitment and willingness to work together to solve this crisis. Together we must fight to ensure every Victorian has a safe, affordable home, because everyone deserves that basic human right.