Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews’ Labor Government has called on the state’s residents to have their say on social and affordable housing as part of a 10-year strategy it says will ensure more Victorians have safe, suitable and secure housing.
The state’s Housing Minister Richard Wynne has released a discussion paper to seek community and stakeholder feedback to help inform the development of the strategy, which will be released later this year.
Mr Wynne said the 10-year strategy would “provide the roadmap for a stronger and more sustainable housing system for Victoria”.
“People will be at the centre of this strategy – and we want to hear from as many Victorians as possible through the consultation process,” he said.
Mr Wynne said the COVID-19 pandemic had highlighted the importance of safe, affordable and stable housing.
He noted the strategy aimed to provide the roadmap and reforms needed to ensure all Victorians who required housing support had a safety net as well as access to safe, secure and affordable housing.
The Victorian Government said it intended to bring together stakeholders from across the community housing, private and community services sectors, as well as all levels of government.
It said the broad range of expertise and capacity would help build a more effective social and affordable housing system that would meet the current and future needs of Victorians.
The strategy is part of Victoria’s landmark $5.3 billion Big Housing Build, which the Andrews Government announced in November.
The scheme is the largest investment in social and affordable housing in Australia’s history and is intended to facilitate the creation of 12,000 new homes.
“Our unprecedented investment in safe, secure housing will change lives – not only putting a roof over people’s heads but creating thousands of jobs as we rebuild from coronavirus,” Mr Wynne said.
Community and stakeholder consultation is open until April 9, 2021, with Victorian residents encouraged to download the discussion paper to have their say by visiting engage.vic.gov.au.
