By Luke Voogt
The number of people urgently waiting for public housing in Geelong has increased at least 10 times faster than population growth, according a homeless advocacy group.
Almost 2500 people had lodged applications on the social housing wait list in Geelong, with 1404 being priority status, according to Council to Homeless Persons.
But the charity’s chief executive officer Jenny Smith warned the actual number of people waiting was double that figure, as many applications included partners and children.
Ms Smith said priority applications for Geelong increased by 10 per cent in nine months, from September 2017 to June 2018.
“There is an urgent need for more public and community housing in Geelong, because families, the elderly and single parents have been pushed out of private rental.”
By comparison Geelong’s population grows roughly one to two per cent each year.
The increase in priority applications follows a similar rise state-wide according to Council to Homeless Persons.
The charity’s analysis of the Victorian Housing Register revealed priority applications jumped 10 per cent since the December quarter.
Priority applicants include rough sleepers, and women and children escaping family violence.
Of the nearly 38,000 applications on the waiting list, 18,943 are categorised as an urgent priority.
The overall waiting list grew by nearly 2000 applications in the nine months to June 2018, bringing the total to 37,996.
The increase reflected a decline in affordable private rentals in Victoria, and a more visible and streamlined application process through the new Housing Register, Ms Smith said.
Thousands of children, the elderly and women fleeing violence were languishing in temporary accommodation and on couches because of a lack of social housing, she said.
“While the current Victorian Government has started reinvesting in new social housing, these demand figures indicate the pace of investment needs to be increased.
“Every Victorian deserves a stable, affordable home so they can raise a family, stay in school, keep a job and achieve their potential.”
With a state election looming, Ms Smith said solving the housing and homelessness crisis should be a priority for all political parties.
“Today’s homelessness crisis is the result of years of neglect and under-investment in social housing, and it’s going to take years of sustained investment to reverse the situation.”
She urged voters to call on their political leaders to take action during Homelessness Week, from 6 to 12 August.
