By Candice Boyle
SECURE, affordable housing is now further out of reach for many of the City of Maribyrnong’s multicultural population, according to a recent forum.
Concerned stakeholders and residents met to discuss the lack of affordable housing, which is threatening the diversity of the city, during a round table forum in Footscray recently.
The forum was held in response to census data released earlier this year that recorded a 10 per cent reduction in affordable rental properties across the municipality.
Service providers, developers, councillors and State Government representatives who attended the forum said realistic targets needed to be set to help curb the issue and retain the city’s affordability tag.
City of Maribyrnong Ironbark Ward councillor Michelle MacDonald said the problem, which was once restricted to low-income earners, was now affecting a greater percentage of the municipality’s population.
“Affordable housing is one of the things that has kept Maribyrnong such a diverse place to live, and I don’t want to see us losing that diversity with rising prices,” she said.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics 2006 National Census data showed just 2571 homes were owned by residents in the municipality, compared to 8546 owned by residents in 2001; a decline which has compounded concerns raised by housing providers in the West.
During the forum, housing agencies identified the major flow on concerns associated with housing affordability shortages, including their inability to curb the rising increase in housing waiting lists, family stress, demands for emergency relief, overcrowding, increased ‘third-world’ housing conditions and an increased number of people ‘sleeping rough’.
Gellibrand MP Nicola Roxon said traditionally Melbourne’s West had been an area where homes were more affordable and young people could break into the property market.
“All of that has changed rapidly in recent years with home ownership slipping out of the reach of many young families,” Ms Roxon said.
Cr MacDonald said housing affordability had become a nationwide issue in the lead-up to the federal election.
“This is such a huge issue and it is important. The residents in housing crisis are potential home owners, renters, people seeking emergency accommodation, refuges, public housing and even caravans,” she said.
A range of grassroots approaches were identified by stakeholders during the forum to respond to the crisis.
Ideas included examining potential sites for affordable housing, improved regulatory provisions and tax incentives for developers.
Cr MacDonald said while those who attended the forum are a “couple of months away” from having a united view, the forum managed to pinpoint the views and challenges associated with housing affordability in the West.
Stakeholders are expected to meet bi-monthly to work on an action plan to present to the City of Maribyrnong councillors later this year.
