Maribyrnong has one of the highest rates of homelessness in Victoria, with new research revealing a dire shortage of affordable housing as one of the key contributors.
Analysis by the Council to Homeless Persons (CHP) found homeless numbers in the Footscray electorate leapt 29 per cent in the five years to the most recent, 2011 census, placing it in the top five in the state.
It found only one in 20 rental properties was affordable for those on low incomes, compared with one in three 10 years ago. Median rent for a one-bedroom property in Maribyrnong has gone from $125 to $230 in the past 10 years.
CHP chief executive Jenny Smith said “a perfect storm” of unemployment, social issues and lack of affordable housing was behind the alarming figures.
Ahead of November’s state election, CHP is calling for $50 million to create more affordable housing and intensive support to reduce homelessness.
“Providing bricks and mortar, teamed with support services, is the most effective way to end homelessness,” Ms Smith said.
“The fact that there are more than 750 people in the Footscray electorate without a safe place to sleep tonight will shock the community and should spur candidates to take action.
“We’re calling on all sides of politics to back our calls for $50 million per year over the term of the next government to end homelessness for good.”
Wombat Housing and Support Services, which provides free help to people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless across the western suburbs, is struggling to cope with demand. Executive officer Steve Maher said it was running at full capacity.
“We’re finding it more and more difficult to help people find long-term affordable accommodation in Maribyrnong,” he said.
“Rental prices are going up and up and people are being forced further out. People on low incomes who rented in Footscray for years are now finding it unaffordable. Crisis accommodation is always a Band-Aid solution to the problem of homelessness and the waiting list for public housing has grown so long it’s just not meeting the demand,” Mr Maher said.
“Rather than buck-passing, there needs to be a commitment at all levels of government to address the problem through greater investment in public housing.”
A Wombat client, who did not want to be named, slept in her car and at a refuge before spending the past two years in temporary accommodation in Footscray.
“I’ve looked at housing rental prices in Footscray, but they’re unaffordable,” she said.
