Public housing boost on way for Mildura

MILDURA families are set for a big win in next week’s State Budget, with at least $40 million tipped to go towards new local public housing.

Member for Mildura Ali Cupper said the funding would be “life-changing for so many families” after a 54 per cent increase on the local public-housing waiting list since 2014.

Latest data shows there were 653 families in the Mildura electorate on the waiting list in September, up from 424 six years ago.

“I am so excited for these families, many who are struggling and having been on housing waiting lists for so long,” Ms Cupper said.

“What we know is that people can be struggling for so many reasons and they find it hard to get an education, or get a job, so the easiest way to pull yourself up out of that situation is having secure accommodation.

“The added bonus of this funding will be the investment in construction jobs for our region over the medium term, which we know is crucial given the COVID-19 impact.”

The funding is part of the government’s $5.3 billion Big Housing Build program, which is estimated to create 43,000 jobs and see more than 12,000 public housing dwellings built across the state by 2025.

Member for Northern Victoria Wendy Lovell said the funding for new public housing in Mildura was overdue.

“With Mildura unfortunately being identified by the Council to Homeless Persons as having the fourth highest number of homeless people (255) in the regional areas, and the concerning rise in families languishing on the waiting list, it is time for the government to make a significant investment in social housing in this city,” the Liberal MP said.

Ms Cupper is hopeful that air-conditioning will be included in the new dwellings and for installation in existing public housing.

“I have raised the issue of air-conditioning in public housing as a matter of urgency and I’m hopeful it will be negotiated into this package,” she said.

“The impacts of climate change on our region are well documented, with more severe and longer heatwaves, so the need for air-conditioning in public housing is a matter of necessity, not comfort.”