The Andrews Government must reveal the net gain of new social housing residences in the disability sector, with the Liberals and Nationals fearing a rise of just four.
In the last term of government, then-Minister for Housing Richard Wynne guaranteed in a written response in parliament to questioning from Shadow Minister for Disability Tim Bull that, of the planned 12,000 new social and affordable homes built across the state, “5% would be built to meet the needs of Victorians with a disability.”
This response led to expectations of 600 additional social and affordable homes for the disability sector, but massive sell offs of Victoria’s public housing mean that the state’s social housing stock has only risen by 74 residences since 2018.
Shadow Minister for Disability, Tim Bull, urged Labor to be transparent and reveal social and affordable housing data for the disability sector.
“The Andrews Government must reveal how many additional homes they have actually delivered, especially if it could be as low as four and given the Minister’s statement that 5% of new social housing would be allocated to Victorians with a disability,” Mr Bull said.
“Labor cannot say they are increasing social housing when they are selling properties at the same rate they are being built – there is no net gain in that.
“It really is a farce.”
Shadow Minister for Housing, Richard Riordan, highlighted figures released by the Victorian Housing Register that confirm the social housing waiting list has blown out to nearly 70,000, an increase of more than 3,000 people over the previous 12 months.
“Average social housing waiting times have blown out, with the wait time for urgent public housing now at nearly two years,” Mr Riordan said.
“The Andrews Government’s mismanagement of Victoria’s public housing stock means far too many Victorians are struggling to get a roof over their heads.
“Quality and stable housing is critical to give vulnerable Victorians the best chance to reach their potential, yet Labor’s waiting lists continue to grow and housing stock remains stagnant.”