Renters experiencing hardship due to last year’s floods are eligible for ARC Justice’s new tenancy support program, Tenancy Stress Victoria.
ARC Justice operates the Loddon Campaspe Community Legal Centre and Housing Justice based in Bendigo, and the Goulburn Valley Community Legal Centre in Shepparton.
Its catchment covers a large expanse of central and northern Victoria, and encompasses 12 local government areas, every one of which was impacted by the historic October 2022 floods.
These areas include Shepparton, Seymour, Echuca-Moama, Benalla, Cobram and Kyabram.
ARC Justice is providing free wrap-around legal advice, financial counselling and social work support to flood-affected renters.
This includes current renters, in private, public or community housing, along with those living in temporary or emergency housing, and former renters who are homeless due the floods.
ARC Justice is working alongside Anglicare Financial Counselling in the Loddon Campaspe region and Primary Care Connect in the Goulburn Valley to assist with legal and other important non-legal matters.
“In the wake of the flood disaster, many regional renters were forced to find alternative housing without any preparation, and they’ve been struggling with financial hardship, instability and emotional distress ever since,” ARC Justice chief executive Damian Stock said.
“ARC Justice is here to help.”
Managing lawyer Anna Dorevitch hopes that providing a one-stop service will ease pressure on renters distressed by the floods.
“Many renters will be in properties where flood damage remains an issue. Now the weather has cooled, we expect mould to be a common concern,” she said.
“Others, due to no fault of their own, have had to enter a brutal rental market where properties are scarce, and rents have never been higher.
“The result is many will be displaced from their communities and need support to re-establish themselves and recover.
“We know that there are many who are not yet in stable housing, and we want to do what we can to prevent homelessness and other crises.
“This service helps people solve many problems arising from or made worse by the floods. For example, our lawyers can help ensure that repair and maintenance issues are being properly addressed and review insurance policies.
“Financial counsellors can help settle fines and unexpected debts as well as ensure that all emergency and other support payments have been accessed.
“Social workers can connect individuals and families to other services and supports.
“Flood survivors need not go it alone. Housing is a universal human right, not least because safe and stable housing is essential to our health and wellbeing and our connection to community.”
For more information or to make an appointment, email tenancystress@arcjustice.org.au or call ARC Justice on 1800 450 909.
For the Loddon Campaspe Community Legal Centre, call 5445 0931 or for the Goulburn Valley Community Legal Centre, call 5831 0931.