Elsie Lange
Housing stress is felt acutely in the Macedon Ranges and it’s argued the federal government’s budget announcement of a $250 bonus payment for concession card holders and welfare recipients is a “Band-Aid” approach.
Anglican reverend Melissa Clark is one of the faces behind the Woodend Community Chest (WCC), a mechanism for locals to financially support those in the community who need it most.
She said while the payments are welcome, they do not address systemic problems which make the cost of living, including paying rent, untenable for many Macedon Ranges residents.
“The one-off payments [in the federal budget], the $250 to the welfare recipients and concession card holders, and the $420 for the people who earn under $126,000, is all great,” Ms Clark said.
“But it’s a Band-Aid that only goes to assist one week’s worth of stress, rather than ongoing assistance.”
Last month, data from Everybody’s Home – a coalition of homelessness, housing and welfare organisations – showed 61.5 per cent of renters across the federal electorate of McEwan were living in housing stress.
Through the WCC, which has distributed more than $5000 worth of vouchers and support to the community since June last year, Ms Clark has seen it on the ground.
“Rent stress is a real issue, it’s a big issue in the Macedon Ranges, particularly in Woodend,” Ms Clark said.
“There are no rentals available and when they do come up, they are very expensive.”
In her opinion, the answer to addressing housing and costs of living stresses are not in short-term, singular payments, but in creating better social and affordable housing in the region.
“For people who ring me, in Woodend, to get them to state or commonwealth-based assistance, I have to send them to Bendigo, there’s not even a place here anymore,” Ms Clark said.
“When you consider that to go to Bendigo it can cost you $30 in fuel, or maybe more depending on the car you have, that’s crazy for someone who is desperate enough to need help.
“It’d be good to have a few more services available in this area.”
