Michaela Meade
Lockdown has impacted city of Maribyrnong residents’ ability to pay their rent, new data reveals.
The Tenants Victoria data, released late last month, examined the impact of Victoria’s fifth lockdown in July on renters’ ability to pay their rent.
Tenants Victoria identified the city of Maribyrnong as a rental stress hotspot after more than half of the respondents to its survey reported rental stress.
Fifty-four per cent of respondents in the city of Maribyrnong reported trouble making payments during the fifth lockdown.
The municipality was listed as the eighth highest local government area (LGA) for rental stress.
Great Dandenong took out the top spot, with 67 per cent of respondents reporting rental stress.
Tenants Victoria said landlords’ and real estate agents’ attitudes were a key factor in renters’ ability to manage their financial situation when it came to their rent.
Maribyrnong council said the federal government is providing COVID-19 Disaster Payments for anyone who is currently in lockdown due to the pandemic, as well as Pandemic Leave Disaster Payments for those who have been told to quarantine or isolate due to COVID-19.
“Residents in the city of Maribyrnong who have been impacted by COVID-19 and are in need of support can contact council’s Community Connectors, a relief and recovery response team that is available to support the community during the pandemic,” council said.
“These teams can provide information and advice about services that are available to those affected by COVID-19, including financial resources, food resources, and health resources. “They can also coordinate service responses for individuals and families including emergency food hampers, and can assist with general and specialised service referrals.”
The council’s Community Connectors can be contacted via 9688 0434.
