News

More affordable housing needed in Mildura

Wed, 04 Sep 2013 14:45:00

A housing advocacy group is appealing to election candidates to back affordable and social housing developments to support more of Mildura’s most vulnerable people.

Haven; Home, Safe provides shelter and support to people who are homeless or in housing crisis and says there is a need for more affordable and social housing in the Mildura area.

“ABS data shows 11 per cent of people in the Mildura area are in housing stress – that is, spending more than a third of their income on housing costs,” said Chief Executive Officer Ken Marchingo.

“Housing-related concerns rank as the number one issue for most people throughout their lives, but there’s been very little said about housing initiatives by any of the major parties.”

Haven; Home, Safe manages more than 100 properties in the Mildura area that provide housing or support services to people who are homeless, or at-risk of becoming homeless. These include a social housing complex in Deakin Avenue, and the Mildura Aboriginal Women’s refuge Meminar Ngangg Gimba in Ontario Avenue.

“Rising housing costs and an under-investment in affordable housing mean it’s more and more difficult for people on lower incomes, particularly those with children, to buy their own home,” Mr Marchingo said.

“We are seeing more and more people in Mildura being stuck in private rental they can’t afford because there are not enough affordable properties available.

“These are not people who fit the stereotypical images of homelessness and housing crisis – a third of the people receiving homelessness support are families.”

Mr Marchingo said social and affordable housing was an opportunity to make a significant difference and it was unfortunate community perceptions about the sector were inaccurate.

“Developments such as the Deakin Avenue complex fill a real need for vulnerable people in the Mildura community,” he said.

“It’s here and it’s not going anywhere. It’s housing people, who have made it very clear that they are sick of being demonised in the media.”

Mr Marchingo said Mildura was an area of need for social and affordable housing development.

“Despite the criticism and concerns that were made early on, the experience has been that social housing is a critical stepping stone to allow people to get their lives on track.

“That has been the reality.  Our tenants are taking the opportunity that social housing provides to allow them to get on with their lives.”

“What we’d like to see is some leadership from our political candidates that recognises the reality that housing choices are needed that are appropriate for people in a diverse range of situations – including people who are vulnerable,” he said.

“Our Affordable Housing program makes renting a home within the reach of people on low to moderate incomes, offering a 10-30 % discount on the usual market rent.”

“The development of affordable and social housing needs to continue here, and candidates and parties need to commit to initiatives like the National Rental Affordability Scheme and growth programs for affordable housing.”