Housing crisis at flashpont
Melbourne Citymission has added its voice to a new affordable housing campaign launched in Canberra today, with Chief Executive Officer, Anne Turley, saying she can’t recall a time in the organisation’s recent history when housing has been at such a crisis point in Melbourne.
“We provide assistance to around 4,200 people every week,” Ms Turley said.
“In any given week, almost half of those clients are either homeless or insecurely housed. Some of these clients are families with small children.
“It’s staggering to think that in this time of supposedly unprecedented economic prosperity, children are growing up in the spectre of unstable housing.”
Ms Turley said all the key housing indicators showed the extent of the current housing crisis.
“The housing affordability figures paint a fairly grim picture. What we’ve all got to remember is that each of those numbers represents a person.
“As more and more Australians are being priced out of the property market and the private rental market, community agencies like Melbourne Citymission are being left to pick up the pieces.
“We’ve joined the ‘Australians for Affordable Housing’ alliance to put a spotlight on the issue and get some comprehensive policy reform.
“The current array of policy levers are failing to provide an adequate supply of low-cost housing, especially for young adults and families.
“Struggling families urgently need State and Commonwealth governments to cooperate through a coordinated national Affordable Housing Agreement,” Ms Turley said.
“It’s not just a question of tinkering with stamp duty or increasing land release. We don’t need quick fixes. We need a comprehensive set of policies that address inadequate supply and make housing affordable for both purchasers and renters on low incomes.”
Ms Turley called for a substantial investment to increase the level of public and community housing and to stimulate the supply of private rental housing.
She said Melbourne Citymission supported the alliance’s call for an affordable housing rental incentive scheme to encourage private sector investment in housing.
“Targeted investment in housing will deliver long-term benefits to both the community and economy. A stable home is fundamental for struggling Victorians to get their lives back on track.”
Media Contact
Michele Rushby
Executive Assistant, CEO Office Melbourne Citymission
Tel: 03 8625 4463
mrushby@mcm.org.au
