The Federal Government’s budget, released last week, included a commitment to build one million new homes over five years.
Regional Australia Institute (RAI) chief executive officer Liz Ritchie said the RAI expected at least one-third of the investment in the government’s ‘well located new homes’, which includes affordable and social housing, would be directed to regional areas with acute housing shortages.
However, for those facing housing insecurity, the government’s promise of more affordable housing provides little solace for their immediate circumstances.
It is increasingly difficult for regional Australians on low incomes to find appropriate housing as rental properties continue to become increasingly scarce and expensive.
Lisa Cameron, a single mum of four children, all with disabilities, knows too well the difficulty of finding a suitable rental property for her family within her budget.
Eighteen months ago, Ms Cameron and her children faced homelessness after the owners of the property she rented decided to sell.
Living primarily in Seymour for the past 33 years, she now lives in Broadford, the only location where she could secure a home.
Her toddler shares her room as she could only secure a three-bedroom home.
Her children still attend school in Seymour — she has tried to minimise the disruption to their lives knowing they will likely have to move again in January, when her lease ends.
She is unsure where she will be able to go next.
“It’s stressful because obviously I cant afford to live in a hotel. How are you supposed to pick what’s more important — a roof over your kids’ heads or food in their bellies?” Ms Cameron said.
“My support network is all in Seymour.
“The travel is difficult, fuel is expensive and when they’ve got appointments, it’s hard ... I still have to go between Broadford and Seymour.”
She currently rents privately, although she has been on the waiting list for social housing for the past 18 months.
She believes that Housing Victoria should look at shuffling tenants around, so as those who no longer require houses with more bedrooms than occupants can be moved to smaller units and young families that require more bedrooms can be accommodated.
“There’s not a lot of Ministry of Housing places outside of Seymour in Broadford, Kilmore or Wallan either. They just need to make it easier to get housing,” she said.
“We don’t have a lot of money in the regional areas because there is not a lot of jobs either.”
Ms Ritchie said a lack of housing was also contributing to the skills shortage that regional Victoria faced.
“It requires a holistic, long-term approach from all tiers of government, as well as local communities, industry and businesses, all working together collaboratively,” she said.