Wednesday, 2 August 2023

Homelessness

Sarah MANSFIELD (Western Victoria) (09:43): As we approach national Homelessness Week, not for the first time I call on this government to end homelessness. Local homelessness support services have told me that they have experienced a surge in demand over the past 12 months, including from many working poor unable to afford food or housing. We have heard from many constituents who are at risk of losing the roof over their heads due to out-of-control rent rises and the rising cost of living. They are forgoing essentials like food, heating and health care just to pay their next rent.

The recent Council to Homeless Persons report confirmed our worst fears – that homelessness is skyrocketing in western Victoria. Between 2016 and 2021 homelessness figures doubled in Geelong, while in South Barwon it more than quadrupled, and South Barwon now has the highest rates of homelessness in any regional area. Meanwhile, almost 7000 households across the Barwon region wait in line on priority access while the options for emergency accommodation rapidly decrease. The Labor state government needs to take urgent action to start addressing the root causes of the housing crisis, and everything should be on the table.