Close to 400 people in Hobsons Bay and Maribyrnong were evicted from rental properties between July 2010 and June this year as families struggle financially with the high cost-of-living pressures and limited access to social services.
New data from the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal, which issues eviction warrants, reveals that over the past three financial years, 214 eviction warrants were issued in Maribyrnong and 143 in Hobsons Bay. Footscray had the highest number of evictions, with 68 people removed from their homes.
Brimbank had Melbourne’s highest rate of rental evictions, with 707 warrants executed. Victorian Council of Social Service chief executive Emma King said the figures pointed to the emergence of a deep and persistent social crisis in Melbourne’s suburbs, brought on by poor planning and lack of investment in social infrastructure.
“It’s a big concern that those areas with the highest concentration of evictions as well as the biggest jumps in rates of evictions are in Melbourne’s poorly serviced growth areas,” Ms King said.
“There needs to be greater investment in eviction prevention and rapid rehousing services, as well as emergency relief and financial counselling services.” \
