Home mix needed in east

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BY ELISA MILLER

05 Nov, 2010 01:21 PM

 

 

A LACK of housing diversity in Melbourne's east has increased the struggle for vulnerable people, including low income earners and elderly residents, to keep a roof over their heads, says advocacy group the Eastern Affordable Housing Alliance.

Chair Mick Van de Vreede said an undersupply of social housing stock, and a huge waiting list, had been compounded by rising rental rates and an increase in the cost of living.

"The eastern region has the lowest level of public housing stock in Melbourne - about 1.9 per cent compared to a metropolitan average of 4 per cent - so we need to increase the stock.

"The problem is the huge waiting list, close to 5000, of our most vulnerable people including the young, families and a high percentage of elderly people.

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The Eastern Affordable Housing Alliance - comprising seven councils: Yarra Ranges, Maroondah, Knox, Manningham, Monash, Whitehorse and Boroondara - has advocated for available housing stock to reflect a changing population.

"We believe there should be a minimum of 5 per cent social housing stock and changes made to the Victorian planning provision to implement inclusionary zoning.

"New developments need to have a mandatory percentage of affordable properties and social housing stock that is close to public transport and services."

Public housing figures for the September 2010 quarter showed 4912 eastern suburbs residents on a waiting list - only 14 people fewer than the June quarter figures.

Evelyn Labor candidate Peter Harris said the government would spend $1.16billion to build 4500 homes in Victoria over the next two years - 50 properties each year for families and vulnerable residents in the Yarra Ranges.

But Evelyn Liberal MP Christine Fyffe said housing needs had been ignored for 11 years, and properties left vacant while families were forced into homelessness.

She said a Coalition government would work with the Commonwealth to halve homelessness by 2020 and the party's forthcoming housing policy would invest in affordable and secure housing for low-income Victorians.

Comment:  Why has the eastern Region the lowest public housing stock is the  key question.  Is it because there is not enough land available?  Is it due to lack of funds?  Is it due to the high cost of land or houses?

Your comments welcome.