Housing crisis dilemma

Advocates call for help from all sectors

GEELONG’S social housing crisis can only be solved by increased collaboration between government and the private sector, advocates say.

G21 chief executive officer Elaine Carbines said a joint and co-ordinated approach by all levels of government, philanthropic bodies and the private sector was needed to fill the social housing gap.

There are about 3300 social housing dwellings in Geelong, yet 7300 households are urgently in need of social housing, according to the City of

Greater Geelong’s Social Housing Plan 2020-2041.

The Geelong Advertiser revealed on Monday that 133 of the city’s social houses were empty due to future development and maintenance issues.

Ms Carbines said to overcome homelessness and housing poverty Geelong would need at least an extra 13,500 new social housing dwellings by 2041 to deal with growing demand, population growth and to renew existing stock.

That is an average of 675 new dwellings a year for the next 20 years at an estimated cost of $235m each year.

Homelessness service provider data from within the G21 region shows around 5 per cent of homeless people are 60 years of age or older.

Barwon South West Homelessness Network found support services in the region saw a significant decline in emergency accommodation in the second half of 2019, partly due to an influx of construction workers from major infrastructure projects.

Ms Carbines said while new construction projects and people moving here for a lifestyle change benefited the regional economy, they created affordability challenges for people on lower incomes.

“The region must work together to provide short, medium and long-term housing solutions to address our homelessness crisis,” Ms Carbines said. “It is only through all levels of government, not-forprofits and the private sector working together that we will develop adequate social housing stock for the disadvantaged and vulnerable.”

Give Where You Live’s Bill Mithen backed the CoGG’s plan to require a portion of all development on councilowned land to contribute to social housing.

“They (the developers) have a lot of assets that could be used for greater social housing stock,” Mr Mithen said.

He said foundations had a role to play in helping to develop plans and seek funding for housing strategies.

“Philanthropy doesn’t have enough money to build enough stock but has a role funding and acting as a catalyst for planning and strategy,” Mr Mithen said.

A spokeswoman for Housing Minister Richard Wynne previously said the state government’s $2.6bn program to address homelessness would help ensure everyone had access to safe accommodation.