By Cam Lucadou-Wells
What are state political parties promising to fix the alarming state of local homelessness?
Greater Dandenong has been recently identified as one of the homeless hotspots in Victoria and Australia.
The electorates of Dandenong, Keysborough, Mulgrave and Clarinda are among the ‘top 20’ in the state, according to analysis by Council for Homeless Persons (CHP).
The Dandenong seat alone has an estimated 1100-plus people experiencing homelessness.
The CHP is calling for more social housing to address the lack of affordable one- or two-bedroom dwellings in the area and to reduce an 80,000-long public-housing waiting list across Victoria.
The State Government argues it is planning to build 2,200 social housing homes in five years, with help to community housing providers to build more.
In Dandenong, the Government is also building homes for supportive housing, as part of a $45.5 million ‘sleeping rough’ plan.
Under the program, assertive outreach teams will help people sleeping rough.
They are housed in supportive housing for two-year periods, and helped to overcome complex underlying issues such as mental health, domestic violence, family background and alcohol and drug battles.
The Greens have upped the ante, with a policy of 40,000 new public housing dwellings over the next six years.
Greens South-East Metro MP and deputy leader Nina Springle said it would be the “biggest investment in the public housing system in decades”.
“(It) is exactly what is needed to start addressing the homelessness crisis.”
Dandenong Greens candidate Rhonda Garad said the lack of affordable rentals and public housing had a dramatic effect on homelessness rates in Greater Dandenong.
“Only the Greens are taking the issue seriously, and have a plan to fix it.”
The Government provides more than $18 million for homelessness services in Southern Melbourne Region, including $2.9 million for youth homelessness assistance in Dandenong.
It also supports more than 4700 people with private rental assistance to keep a roof over their heads.
Liberals housing spokeswoman Georgie Crozier did not respond by deadline.
