THE public housing waiting list across the North West is experiencing a decline.
The State Government released the December 2011 public waiting list figures last week, showing an overall fall of 115 applications for public housing in the North West.
Specifically, there were reductions of 0.7 per cent for Footscray (nine applications), 1.2 per cent for Ascot Vale (12 applications), 1.2 per cent for Broadmeadows (28 applications), 0.1 per cent for Preston (two applications), 0.7 per cent for Sunshine (28 applications), 4.3 per cent for Fitzroy, Collingwood and Richmond (66 applications) and an increase of 2.1 per cent for North Melbourne and Carlton (30 applications).
Housing Minister Wendy Lovell said the State Government was taking a proactive approach to the issues affecting public housing.
“The recent Report on Government Services, released by the Productivity Commission, shows that Victoria is making more public housing available, with an 18.5 per cent reduction in the number of vacant public housing properties in 2010-11.
“Better management of vacant property is clearly yielding dividends … we have reviewed vacancy rates, turnover procedures and times, and are working harder with applicants who have been waiting the longest.”
