New houses for homeless

By Kath Gannaway
EVELYN MP Christine Fyffe has called on the state government to fast-track the provision of housing in Yarra Ranges.
Ms Fyffe raised the issue of the housing crisis facing a growing number of Yarra Valley families with the Minister of Housing Richard Wynne.
“Yesterday I was informed in a letter from the minister that Yarra Ranges will receive an expected increase of over 80 new housing units in the next four years to increase the supply of social housing (housing available through not-for-profit organisations) available to those who are facing homelessness,” Ms Fyffe said.
“This is great news to the many residents who have been through my office doors looking for help to obtain housing,” Ms Fyffe said.
“We have had people forced out of bungalows, elderly unable to meet rent increases, single mothers with disabled children who do not have the support of council services if they accept housing outside Yarra Ranges – the list goes on,” she said. “My only question is why do we have to wait four years for the new housing units?” Ms Fyffe said.
Ms Fyffe said the minister had confirmed that the state government will increase the options with regard to short to medium term accommodation with a state-wide injection of $510 million over the next four years.
“Many people will be made homeless between now and 2012. We need the funding for the units to be released immediately,” Ms Fyffe said.
A spokesman for Mr Wynne said the department was working with very significant funding resources to ensure there were adequate resources for emergency, crisis and long-term accommodation.
“We are spending that money and we are seeing progress,” he said.
“We know people need a solution tonight but it’s just not possible to do it that quickly.
“It is happening and we are committed to seeing it does happen,” he said.