The Nationals Member for Lowan, Emma Kealy, has called on the Allan Labor Government to urgently repair currently closed public housing to provide emergency housing for those who have lost homes in the Grass Flat-Natimuk-Quantong fire.
Ms Kealy said there were up to 100 empty government-managed homes in Horsham that were “offline” due to defects that could be quickly rectified, which would offer a suitable short- to medium-term housing option to residents of Natimuk and Quantong who had devastatingly lost their properties.
“There are many families who are dealing with the traumatic aftermath of these fires and the tragic loss of their homes. To help give them short-term stability, it is imperative that housing forms part of the government’s emergency response,” she said.
“In our community we have an accessible solution to unlock housing almost immediately, with minimal effort and expense. I urge the government to prioritise this maintenance work so those in need have housing available to them at this heartbreaking time.”
Ms Kealy said it was a sad indictment on the Allan Labor Government that funding cuts had resulted in so many homes boarded up in the midst of a housing crisis, particularly when many houses did not require a lot of work to bring them to a habitable level.
“In the midst of a disaster, the government has a quick and easy option available to provide a solid housing option for those who have lost everything in this terrible fire event,” she said.
“Housing certainty and security are essential right now, and this solution would provide much-needed emergency housing quickly.
“It also means that we would have ongoing public housing stock available, and the repairs that should have been approved a long time ago are completed.
“I urge the Allan Labor Government to get on with these repairs to bring more emergency housing stock back online and available to the community as soon as possible.”
