The recent cold days and nights remind us of the importance of having a warm, safe home – as we shelter from the wintry winds blowing across Bass Strait.
But there are too many people in Bass Coast struggling to achieve that very basic need of putting a roof over their heads, through bad luck or circumstances.
We all know the cliché of homelessness, but the reality is that in Bass Coast the largest – and growing – group of people desperately in need of affordable public housing is older, single women. Young single people, families, and older people are also experiencing housing stress or insecurity, with many at risk of homelessness.
They are people we grew up with in our community, went to school or worked with. They might be friends or family, or someone else you care about.
Tragically, they are also often victims of family violence with many women faced with the choice of staying at home to face more abuse or fleeing with the children to search for safety.
Bass Coast mirrors state-wide trends. But it does not make it in any way acceptable.
Just over 5% of Bass Coast Shire’s 40,000 residents struggle to find safe, secure, and affordable housing. This impacts their participation in the local community and economy – including schooling, education, and employment.
The reasons for this shortage of affordable housing are varied: poor housing supply, cost of housing, fewer homes available for long term rentals, and rising rents. Motel and hotel accommodation is currently the only option for victim survivors of family violence, but it is expensive, unsafe, and lacks privacy plus cooking facilities. Some motels and caravan parks are also no longer willing to take on emergency clients.
Providing affordable housing is primarily the responsibility of the state government, so Council welcomes their commitment to grow social housing across Victoria, including the $25m minimum funding for social and affordable housing of which 36 new dwellings have or are currently being delivered in Bass Coast at a cost of $13.5 million. But more help is desperately needed.
We all have a responsibility to solve this crisis.
Council now has a draft Affordable Housing Strategy which clearly defines the role Council can play in tackling the local housing crisis:
• increasing support for affordable housing and services in the municipality and region through advocacy and engagement.
• developing strategic partnerships with state government, housing and service providers, and developers to improve affordable housing outcomes for individuals and the community.
• working with stakeholders to improve outcomes for the community in terms of housing affordability.
• making Council-owned land available for affordable housing, where appropriate
Council has commenced community consultation on its draft Affordable Housing Strategy.
I hope you can spare five minutes to read our strategy and share your feedback on our Engage Bass Coast website from 26 May. Together we can end homelessness in Bass Coast.
