Housing a key election issue

So what are the major parities pledging and what can be done to fix the crisis?

Speaking in a panel discussion, Housing Minister Danny Pearson, Opposition Housing Spokesperson Richard Riordan and Greens Leader Samantha Ratnam all agreed that housing was a “critical issue”. 

Pearson said while there were no new announcements to make, housing remained an important issue for the Andrews Government.

He added that the current $5.3 billion Big Housing Build was “the single biggest investment in social housing in Australian history”.

“We have the money, we have the drive, energy and passion,” Pearson said.

Pearson said that the government would be working with close with Aboriginal community organisations and Melbourne City mission who work with young people.

“We have to all work together collaboratively,” he said. 

Opposition Housing Spokesperson Richard Riordan insisted he is committed to improving homelessness in the regions.

”As someone born and bred in one town his whole life, I have never known it to be so bad and so difficult to find a home,” he said.

“We heard it was something that happened in the (Melbourne) or away from our country community. There is not a community in Victoria that isn’t touched by homelessness or lack of affordability or availability of homes.”

Riordan said, if elected, his government would work with the local government to do population plans and work with agencies to to create community acceptance.

“I understand the value of a home and I understand how important it is to put your roots down and stay there, it’s an important part of creating a stable and functional community,” he said.

Greens Leader Samantha Ratnam said they would continue to prioritise housing as a main and critical issue.

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“The situation has moved from crisis to catastrophe in Victoria,” she said.

“We know that renters are doing it tough, rent is rising at historic highs and homelessness services are underfunded and struggling for increased demand.

“I am beyond frustrated we have still talking about housing in terms of reform, and we welcome investment in the big build, it is not enough.”

Ratnam said the Greens were committed to a big build of 200,000 of public and affordable homes in the next 20 years, including 100,000 public homes in the 10 years.

More is needed to improve housing situation

The CHP chief executive said they were “encouraged” by the answers made by the leaders in the panel, but warned “more was needed”.

“Everyone on the panel demonstrated they were serious about the issue but clearly more is needed to address this,” Smith told 9news.com.au.

“As we enter the home stretch in this election campaign, all parties need to back greater investment in social housing and homelessness support services.”

The CHP have called on all sides of government to commit on a range of other important initiatives.

Smith said 6000 new homes were needed a year for the next decade to address shortages.

“Victoria also needs to extend the world-leading From Homelessness to a Home program that gives rough sleepers somewhere to live alongside wraparound support,” she said.

“And there needs to be targeted action in housing our most vulnerable people with a housing guarantee for victim-survivors of family violence, more Indigenous housing and an increased focus on youth homelessness.

“Let’s make the 2022 poll a watershed moment for housing. The next government needs to recognise the crisis and take decisive action to end homelessness.”