O’Keeffe calls for fair share of housing pledge

By Murray Silby

Sep 25, 2023

**More detail:** State Member for Shepparton Kim O’Keeffe has called for the Victorian Government to pledge a fair share of funding for social housing in the Goulburn Valley. Photo by Murray Silby

The Victorian Government has been accused of quoting big sums, but providing little detail in its major housing statement.

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The Andrews Government has said it will address Victoria’s chronic housing shortage by building 800,000 houses over the next decade and boosting housing supply and affordability in regional and rural Victoria.

State Member for Shepparton Kim O’Keeffe said Premier Daniel Andrews’ announcement lacked detail on how the commitment would be achieved.

“We are hearing big sums, but no detail, and the premier (Daniel Andrews) has failed to answer how they will achieve this bold target,” Ms O’Keeffe said.

“Housing is a human right, and it is so distressing to see the numbers of homelessness continue to rise in our region.”

Ms O’Keeffe said the latest announcement was on top of an additional 1300 homes promised for regional Victoria after the government withdrew from hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

“The cost of living, flooding in the region and the severe shortage of affordable rental housing have had a significant impact,” Ms O’Keeffe said.

“The government and the housing minister (Colin Brooks) are well aware of our housing crisis, and I urge investment into our region.”

Ms O’Keeffe said since 2018 there had only been a net increase of 74 residences in Victoria’s social housing stock and that under Labor the public housing waiting list had nearly doubled, growing by 33,627 in the eight years between 2015 and 2023.

She said in March 2023, Victoria’s total public housing waiting list was 67,985.

“The facts and figures don’t add up, and vulnerable Victorians need a roof over their head now, not empty promises, longer wait times and wait lists,” Ms O’Keeffe said.

“Our region must get our fair share of housing investment.”

Since the State Government's announcement, it has said it will initiate due diligence, feasibility and design work projects in Shepparton, Seymour and Rochester for approximately 70 new social housing dwellings, with a mix of public and community housing, to provide homes for people affected by the 2022 floods.

It said it will also explore opportunities to buy pre-sale off-the-plan apartments in medium and high-density developments to boost Victoria’s social housing stock.