Jennifer Pittorino
Victorian Socialists West are currently on a campaign around Melbourne to find out how the community is dealing with the housing crisis.
Volunteer Catherine Robertson said everyone they spoke with could relate to one or more of the questions they asked.
“We knocked on at least 500 houses that day, all of which could answer one of the questions about struggling either with their own experiences or knowing someone,” she said.
“We have worked with the community in the past , they know us so we went around Footscray to ask people how they are dealing with the crisis.”
Some of the questions asked related to if residents are feeling the rate increase, if the rate increase is high in Footscray and if they think the cost of living has impacted them.
“Pretty unanimously people have had quite poor recent experiences with housing,” she said.
“People are living in cold homes in winter because they can’t afford to turn on the heater.
“Some are living in lower standard housing than they prefer.”
Another thing that the volunteers noticed was of common concern was the topic of public housing.
“Anyone that lives in Footscray over the age of 60 all said they would like to see more public housing,” she said.
“Footscray and the west have always been home to vulnerable communities who feel the brunt of the economic crisis first.
“Those groups are homeless people, migrants and refugees, all who share a history of having a low socioeconomic status.”
Ms Robertson said the party will be releasing a report on Saturday, July 15, which will share their in depth findings.
“Locals are also welcome to come to the Trades Hall in Carlton on Saturday, July 15, at 2pm where there will be speakers and a survey so we can better understand the situation.”
