THE Victorian government has responded to the parliamentary inquiry into homelessness 899 days after it was due, after its Housing Statement failed to address recommendations.
The state government was due to respond to the inquiry’s 51 recommendations back on 4 September 2021 and has now supported 45 fully or in-principle, committed to reviewing four and rejected two.
“Since the Committee tabled its final report, the Victorian Government has funded several initiatives that reform Victoria’s approach to homelessness and address multiple recommendations from the Inquiry,” read the response.
“This includes $134 million in the 2023-24 State Budget for homelessness and housing support. The Victorian Government is also partnering with the Commonwealth Government to deliver more social and affordable housing.”
Out of every state and territory in the country, Victoria holds the lowest share of social housing, with public and community housing making up just 2.8% of Victorian households.
Deborah Di Natale, CEO of the Council to Homeless Persons (CHP), has called on Premier Jacinta Allen to revise the government’s centrepiece Housing Statement policy released in September last year to full include the recommendations.
“Money is the missing ingredient in this overdue response to critical recommendations that will reduce homelessness in Victoria. Revising the Housing Statement so it tackles homelessness is absolutely crucial and will send a message that Premier Allan believes that everybody should have a home,” said Di Natale.
“We need an iron-clad commitment that this year’s state budget will include the full amount needed to implement these reforms. In its response to the inquiry, the government has rightly pointed out some of the excellent homelessness initiatives that have been funded.”
Homelessness has only grown across the state, which in the midst of a housing crisis, with the 2021 Census showing 30,000 Victorians were without a home on Census night.
And Victoria recording a 5.3% increase in the use of homelessness services between December and March, according to Homelessness Australia.
While in December there were 60,708 people waiting on the public and community housing on the waiting list.
“CHP would welcome the opportunity to sit on an oversight group to advise the government about the most efficient and effective way to make these recommendations work for people experiencing homelessness,” added Di Natale.
“There’s more than 30,000 people in Victoria on any given night experiencing homelessness. It’s critical they are represented when it comes to implementing these recommendations.”
