Thursday, 30 May 2024

Housing affordability

Aiv PUGLIELLI (North-Eastern Metropolitan) (18:04): (942) My adjournment matter is to the Minister for Consumer Affairs, and the action that I seek is that she end unlimited rent increases to prevent people like Leigh being pushed to the edge. Leigh contacted me recently, and with her permission I would like to share her story with you all:

I’m sure you get these daily. I am a single mum of 3 special needs daughters aged 15, 20 and 23. I am a midwife at Monash Clayton. I have 2 degrees, Nursing and midwifery. I work hard caring for our community, at a time that actually has a large impact on the future potential of individuals and their ability to contribute to society as a whole. Yet I feel I am not cared for, and this affects my ability to care for my own family.

Last year I had to move from the Nunawading area to Lilydale because my rent was put up $200 a week. I am at max rent affordability at $450 a week.

My current landlord did not renew my lease and so I am on a month to month system for unknown reasons, as he won’t tell me why.

Living out at Lilydale I am 50mins to 1 hour 20 mins drive to work. Fuel and food, cost of living, I am barely surviving and have no capacity to save or move. I don’t meet any criteria for support and I have no money for saving, or recreational activities.

Our life is ok, as we have a roof over our heads, although not secure in that as well, with no set lease.

I have tried to move but every application I put in is really for a place $100 dollars above my limit, and I don’t get approved anyway. Landlords and realtors demand proof of my savings, via bank statements, or they refuse to accept applications, I don’t have any savings at all. I feel violated. They ask me if I have a guarantor which I don’t as I am a 50 yo single mother.

I can’t help but wonder if a well off landlord, if for a single moment would appreciate the feeling of uncertainty and of having the roof over their head taken away, if the person who sets the price of fuel cares about the fact that I choose fuel to get to work and then cannot afford to buy meat. If the fact the grocery stores would rather throw out food, than sell it at a price that people can afford.

For me to buy a bar of chocolate is to be extravagant.