Tuesday, 12 November 2024

 David ETTERSHANK (Western Metropolitan) (12:57): (1228) My constituency question is directed to the Minister for Housing, although I am cognisant that the question could span portfolios. My constituent works in homelessness services in Brimbank. While my constituent acknowledges the Victorian government has made commitments to increase the supply of social housing under the Big Housing Build, any new housing is some years from being delivered. This does not address the rising number of people in Brimbank and across the west who are sleeping rough and/or living in unsafe situations, often with complex health needs. More is needed to alleviate the immediate and ever-increasing pressure on the homelessness services sector, with nearly 90 per cent of those seeking help being turned away on any given day. Funding for frontline services is more vital than ever as the exorbitant cost of rent and diminishing supply of affordable dwellings drives rising demand for homelessness support. My constituent asks if the government will provide more funding for housing stock, homelessness access points and assertive outreach programs to alleviate the current and growing homelessness crisis in Brimbank.