The Nationals Member for Gippsland South, Danny O’Brien has called on the Allan Labor Government to reveal how many public housing homes across Gippsland South are sitting vacant while local families remain on the waiting list.
Speaking in Parliament last week, Mr O’Brien asked the Minister for Housing to provide the number of public housing properties across Gippsland South are sitting empty but unavailable for tenants due to repairs, maintenance or other works.
Mr O’Brien said the question was prompted by ongoing concerns from residents who are frustrated to see homes boarded up or sitting vacant during a housing crisis.
“I am regularly contacted by frustrated people who are struggling to find a home while they see public housing properties in their communities sitting empty,” Mr O’Brien said.
“In some cases, people on the waiting list are literally driving around their towns pointing out vacant homes and asking why they cannot move into them.
“If these houses are empty because they need repairs or maintenance, then we need to know how many there are and how long they are staying that way.”
Mr O’Brien said he had also asked the Minister to provide the total number of public housing homes so the community could see what proportion of the region’s housing stock is sitting vacant.
“With more and more Gippslanders struggling to secure housing, every available property should be tenanted as quickly as possible.
“Local housing staff work hard to manage these properties and support tenants, but they need the resources and support from government to ensure homes do not sit vacant any longer than necessary.
“People who are waiting for housing deserve transparency about how many properties are currently unavailable and why.”