Elsie Lange
More than 60 per cent of renters in McEwan are living in housing stress, recent data shows.
Heatmaps released by Everybody’s Home – a coalition of homelessness, housing and welfare organisations – show 61.5 per cent of renters across the federal electorate are in a tight spot, and the group has called on the federal government to invest in more social housing.
Sunbury and Cobaw Community Health (SCCH) housing and family services manager Justine Maher said investment in social and affordable housing is “essential”.
“There are less than 50 public housing properties in the Macedon Ranges but these have long-term tenants in and only one or two become vacant per year,” Ms Maher said.
“We’d also like to see a return of the public housing purchase scheme where long term tenants can purchase the properties they are living in and the funds used to build new homes.”
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, housing stress is experienced by households spending more than 30 per cent of their gross income on housing costs.
Ms Maher said the SCCH housing team works with approximately 300 people a year who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, often because of housing affordability.
“Incomes are not keeping up with surging housing costs and since the pandemic house prices in country towns such as Macedon, Riddells Creek, Gisborne, Romsey and Lancefield have increased significantly as more people make the move to live in the country,” Ms Maher said.
Everybody’s Home spokesperson Kate Colvin said incomes are not keeping up with housing costs, not only for modest income earners but those on middle income earners too.
“Regional communities are also experiencing housing crises never seen before,” Ms Colvin said.
Macedon Ranges council’s director of community, Maria Weiss, said the Victorian government’s Big Housing Build program is set to deliver a $30 million investment in housing in the region, which would provide an opportunity to increase social and affordable housing in the shire.
“Macedon Ranges shire council has adopted an interim Affordable Housing Policy 2021-2023, as the Victorian government rolls out the Big Housing Build and prepares its 10-year affordable housing strategy,” Ms Weiss said.
“A comprehensive Affordable Housing Policy will be completed for the shire by July 2023.”
Ms Maher said SCCH was increasingly encountering people with a disability facing housing insecurity, as well as those over 55 years of age seeking assistance.
“Often people are forced out of the area away from friends and family due to the fact that there is a lack of affordable rental properties in the Macedon Ranges,” Ms Maher said.
“One-bedroom properties are desperately needed to address couples and singles needing housing support as they are not eligible for vacancies with two or more bedrooms.
“Housing insecurity has an impact on the physical and mental health of our community and for young people it can have an impact on their educational outcomes.”
