The Victorian Greens have called on the Victorian Labor Government to stop ignoring the growing number of renters struggling to keep a roof over their heads and urgently act to address the worsening rental crisis.
The Greens say this means an immediate two-year rent freeze followed by a cap on rent increases, as well as short-stay regulations and a stronger vacancy tax.
Earlier today, the Victorian Parliament’s inquiry into the rental crisis held its first round of public hearings, and heard from regional renters across the state who painted a dire picture.
Like Sarah, who accepted a rental that cost over 60 per cent of her income because the alternative was homelessness.
Or Neal, who spoke of a family in his area being forced to commute several hours each day for work and school after being unable to find an affordable rental close-by.
Or Shaye, who was five months’ pregnant when she was kicked out of her home of six years. After searching for months through the usual channels, she did a letter drop to 200 homes and got only two responses.
Victorian Greens renters’ rights spokesperson, Gabrielle de Vietri, said right now, 82 per cent of renters were experiencing housing stress with many just one rent rise away from homelessness.
She said the inquiry needed to be an urgent wake-up call for the Victorian Labor Government, who had to date all but ignored renters.
The Greens established the inquiry earlier this year, despite attempts from Labor to block it. And more recently, following negotiations and pressure from the Greens, the Government indicated it was considering rent controls and the regulation of short-stays.
As stated by Victorian Greens renters’ rights spokesperson, Gabrielle de Vietri MP:
“This inquiry is already painting a heartbreaking picture of what it looks like to be a renter in Victoria right now.
“A lack of affordable housing and unlimited rent hikes are pushing many to the brink, and unless this Government acts soon, it will only get worse.
“We need urgent renter safeguards like a two-year rent freeze to protect renters being forced to choose between feeding their kids or keeping a roof over their heads.”
As stated by Victorian Greens rural and regional spokesperson, Dr Sarah Mansfield:
“It’s important that renters in regional Victoria have access to affordable housing near where they work, and near where their kids go to school.
“Yet because so many homes in the regions are locked up for most of the year and only opened during holiday season as short-stay accommodation, and because rents continue to rise, this is becoming near impossible.
“This Government needs to listen to the renters presenting to this inquiry and act, instead of continuing to stick its head in the sand.”
