The Victorian Greens have said the state government’s commitment to build 168 new social housing units goes nowhere near putting a dent in the state’s 100,000-strong housing waiting list.
They added that while today’s funding announcement was a step in the right direction, it would do very little to solve the state’s housing crisis or rising rates of homelessness.
As part of their Green New Deal for Victoria, the Greens want to see the creation of 100,000 new public housing units between now and 2035, with 40,000 of these established over the next five years to help urgently create much-needed jobs.
They also want to see renewable energy upgrades – including solar power and battery storage – implemented in the 23,000 existing housing units set for maintenance work as part of the government’s funding package.
Leader of the Victorian Greens, Samantha Ratnam, said a much more ambitious spend on building housing units would help stimulate the economy, create around 10,000 jobs and provide more Victorians with a safe and secure home.
Victorian Greens spokesperson for climate change, Ellen Sandell, added that upgrading existing units with renewable energy would help to reduce power prices and support residents who were struggling to keep up with the rising cost of living.
As stated by Leader of the Victorian Greens, Samantha Ratnam MLC:
“The government’s commitment to build 168 new social housing units goes nowhere near putting a dent in the state’s 100,000-strong housing waiting list.
“And while an investment in upgrading our existing dilapidated public housing units is critical and welcome, it is a symptom of decades of neglect by successive governments.
“Any plans to stimulate Victoria’s economy must include an investment in a big build of public housing so that everyone can have access to a safe and secure home. It is the only way we are going to solve homelessness.”
As stated by Victorian Greens spokesperson for climate change, Ellen Sandell MP:
“Every public home should have solar panels and insulation. It’ll lower power prices for residents and help deal with climate change.”
