THE pressure on politicians and state election candidates for more affordable housing on the Mornington Peninsula increased last week with a public forum in Mornington.
More than 200 at the forum heard the CEO of Anglicare Victoria Paul McDonald say, “the government have been asleep at the wheel for over a decade on housing”.
He said the raw reality of homelessness in Victoria was “not new, and it has been ignored in terms of significant policy and investment for too long”.
The forum at the Peninsula Community Theatre was the second in a series of three by Peninsula Voice and focused on housing affordability on the peninsula.
Several election candidates attended to hear the dialogue between panellists McDonald, Mornington Peninsula Shire CEO John Baker, and Katelyn Butterss, CEO of the Victorian Public Tenants Association.
Homelessness and the need for more affordable housing is one of the issues being pursued by the shire with its Shout Out campaign.
Peter Orton, chair of Peninsula Voice, said homelessness was affecting all communities in Australia.
McDonald said the state government’s decision to drop the 1.75 per cent social housing levy was short-sighted as it was a policy that could have added 1700 homes to housing stock each year.
“With eight Mornington Peninsula Shire councillors present, along with several from other councils, the issue is clearly proving to be a hot topic in local government circles, with representatives seeking to listen and learn possible solutions,” Orton said.
“After the event, many councillors indicated that while it is regrettable the conversation is occurring, they have been inspired by those speaking out and facilitating public discussion to improve knowledge and outcomes.”
Butterss said the shire’s affordable housing project should include “all types of housing styles … not simply the low density salt and pepper type of developments being suggested as the best option”.
“Families, single parents, older community members, they all have different needs when it comes to housing, so it is critically important to listen to tenants when creating new developments,” she said.
Butterss said the “not in my backyard” attitude was a barrier to quality developments which would improve amenity and provide a positive outcome for the whole community.
“Public housing today is not what it used to be,” she said, as homes were now designed and built in the same way as private homes.
Orton said community, public and social housing was increasingly seen as a debate between property owners and renters, but the panel confirmed that both public and private investment was needed “to ensure enough supply to keep prices affordable for many”.
Butterss said the government’s Big Build was “only a drop in the ocean for what is required”.
Baker said the state government had allocated the peninsula “only $7.5 million out of a total $5.3 billion, when our real need is $100 million”.
He said the amount “speaks volumes about how much the government care about the Mornington Peninsula”.
Baker committed to investigate forming a community consultation group which included those experiencing homelessness and precarious housing.
With more than 1000 people experiencing homelessness on the peninsula, and 4000 on the public housing waiting list, the peninsula’s 1437 public houses were well below the housing stock needed.
McDonald and Ben Smith, CEO of Mornington Community Information and Support Centre, said finance for support services was essential to ensure those needing housing got the necessary support to navigate the process.
“People experiencing trauma and difficult times are often left battling a stressful and confusing system alone, and support is essential to long term positive outcomes,” Smith said.
Orton said it was evident by the interest shown by those at the forum that “homelessness and housing are issues which affect many on the peninsula and will likely inform many voters’ choices on the 26 November”.
First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 15 November 2022
