Shire calls for State Government action to tackle housing crisis

The pressure to find a solution to the Mornington Peninsula’s housing crisis is intense. But Mornington Peninsula Shire is adamant the answer doesn’t lie in tents.

“Homelessness on the Peninsula is at tragic levels,” the shire said in a statement yesterday. “There are zero emergency relief or supported crisis accommodation options in our municipality and at least 1000 people are experiencing homelessness on the Mornington Peninsula right now. Let that sink in: there are 1000 human beings on the Peninsula – friends, acquaintances, family members – without a roof over their heads, forced to sleep rough or in conditions that are unacceptable to any one of us. What is the solution forced on us by the Victorian Government? Tents? With services so stretched, our only solution might be to support them in camping spaces.”

“A tent in a campsite should remain a summer holiday tradition, not a makeshift solution to our housing crisis,” Mayor Anthony Marsh said. “But that’s the forced position we find ourselves in due to an incomprehensible lack of support, interest and funding from the Victorian Government to support thousands of our vulnerable community members. We need at least $100 million from Victoria’s Big Housing Build program to go toward housing on the Mornington Peninsula. Our community is in desperate need of crisis accommodation, social housing and affordable housing.”

According to the shire, the Peninsula is the sixth worst area for rough sleeping in Victoria, with 16 per cent of homeless residents sleeping rough every night – many on the foreshore. Meanwhile, almost 4000 residents are on public housing waiting lists; and a 31 per cent increase in rents over the past year is causing significant rental stress, with only three rental properties on the Peninsula being classed as affordable for low-income earners over the past year.

“We are asking the Victorian Government and all candidates running in the Victorian election to commit to a minimum commitment of $100 million from Victoria’s Big Housing Build program (and) urgent funding for crisis accommodation. We need your help. Join us in shouting out to fund affordable housing on the Peninsula. Demand better. Act now. Visit mornpen.vic.gov.au/SHOUTOUT”