Rod Barton believes more needs to be done to find permanent housing for those facing insecure housing and sleeping rough.

It is reported only 10 per cent of the homeless Victorians who were put up in hotels during the COVID-19 pandemic have found permanent homes.

Mr Barton is concerned by the skyrocketing rents in regional areas that have meant vacancies in some communities are at a mere 1 per cent. This makes finding housing for the homeless and those at risk of homelessness in regional areas incredibly difficult.

“The ‘From Homelessness to a Home package’ is a great initiative, but we needed more affordable housing yesterday. Homelessness in Victoria is a crisis and these projects must be fast-tracked.’ he says.
“This is happening as the federal government made Victorian homelessness services aware that they would be facing funding cuts of $20 million a year for the next 4 years. These cuts will mean fewer frontline workers, fewer beds and more people sleeping rough.”

Mr Barton began the homelessness inquiry that delivered their final report in April of this year.
“I will continue to advocate the government to better address homelessness in Victoria and adopt the recommendations suggested in the homelessness inquiry report.”

ENDS
Media contact: Norm Dunn, Chief of Staff Rod Barton MP, 0438 175 113 Norm.dunn@parliament.vic.gov.au