By Matthew Sims
Maribyrnong flood victims will be able to access a new tenancy service to support those experiencing rental stress following the October 2022 flood event.
Launching on Monday, May 1, the Tenancy Stress Victoria (TSV) Flood Recovery Clinic will provide renteres impacted by the Maribyrnong and Werribee river floods with free access to the services of a lawyer, financial counsellor or a social worker to assist them with legal issues, broader social issues, significant financial hardship and debt matters.
Made possible with the support of Consumer Affairs Victoria, the pilot will be a joint project between WEstjustice providing the in-house legal and social work assistance and Anglicare providing the specialist financial counselling services.
WEstjustice chief executive Melissa Hardham said a number of compounding factors often leads to experiencing rental stress.
“Being placed in a situation where you are at risk of eviction doesn’t happen in a vacuum,” she said.
“We hope that when a person is able to see the right professionals at the right time, they won’t enter the crisis homelessness space.”
WEstjustice reports show issues from rental providers not carrying out repairs to excessive rent increases can impact renters.
TSV program manager Christopher Carr said the one-stop service will help renters learn about how to ease pressure from a number of different sources.
“Our intention is to demonstrate the value of a one-stop wrap-around service,” he said.
“Many renters are doing it tough now due to rapid inflation in the rental market and the cost-of-living crisis more generally.
“Preventing an eviction order is one thing, but addressing the underlying cause of rental stress is another.”
Mr Carr said often non-legal solutions are required to solve legal problems.
“Hence, having the services of a financial counsellor and social worker on hand to step in straight away is of huge benefit in these situations.”
Details: 9749 7720 or chrisc@westjustice.org.au
