By Matthew Sims
About 2000 households across Maribyrnong or 5.6 per cent of the population were not in appropriate housing and were facing housing stress during the 2021 Census, according to new analysis from the Community Housing Industry Association (CHIA) and the UNSW City Futures Research Centre.
Housing stress circumstances or those with unmet needs include families who are either experiencing homelessness, living in overcrowded homes or spending over 30 per cent of their income on rent.
In Hobsons Bay, about 1900 or 5.2 per cent of the population were facing rental stress during the 2021 census.
Uniting Vic.Tas western senior homelessness manager Adam Liversage said the rising cost of living has put “enormous strain” on individuals and families in Melbourne’s western suburbs.
“Rental prices are going up and for a growing number of people, housing is becoming further and further out of reach,” he said.
“The growing housing shortage is making it more challenging to find safe and secure accommodation for people in need.
“We know how important having a stable house is to people’s self-esteem and their sense of security and wellbeing and their social structures.”
The worst affected area was Melbourne’s west where 6.9 per cent, or more than 20,000 households, were not appropriately housed.
A spokesperson for not-for-profit social housing organisation Unison said their Private Rental Assistance Program (PRAP) has delivered increasing support for residents across Maribyrnong and Hobsons Bay.
“Rising rental prices in the inner-west mean very few rentals are affordable for people on a low income,” the spokesperson said.
“Larger numbers of families are presenting to our services in crisis due to rental and housing affordability stress, along with cost of living pressures.
“Increased funding would assist to meet the demand of increasing numbers renters whose tenancies are at risk and are impacted by the current rental crisis.”
Unison completed a social housing development at Napier Street in Footscray in June 2020.
