More Macedon Ranges residents affected by family violence and homelessness will now be able to contend in the private rental market.
Last week Macedon MP Mary-Anne Thomas announced the state government was committing an extra $1.2 million to the Private Rental Assistance Program (PRAP) in the Loddon and Mallee areas.
The program will be continued following a trial throughout the past year, which was prompted by the 2016 Royal Commission into Family Violence.
In the Macedon Ranges, the program can be accessed through Cobaw Community Health in Kyneton. Cobaw Community Health chief executive officer Margaret McDonald said the program had been a huge success.
“It’s really beneficial for our clients,” Ms McDonald said. “We haven’t had anything like it before.
“It also gives real estate agents additional safeguards”.
Ms McDonald said the level of assistance provided by the PRAP program was determined on a case-by-case basis.
“It’s anything to help the client to ensure they can sustain the rent,” she said. “It’s so flexible.”
At the funding’s announcement Ms Thomas met with a tenant who has been supported through the PRAP program.
The single mother-of-four has been able to settle with a permanent lease in Woodend after being priced out of her rental property in Macedon.
For details contact Cobaw Community Health on 5421 1666.
