The Nationals Member for Gippsland South, Danny O’Brien MP, has used Homelessness Week (4–10 August) to call attention to the deepening housing crisis in Victoria, warning that delays in re-letting vacant social housing and a failure to boost supply are worsening homelessness both in Gippsland South and across the state.
Mr O’Brien said his electorate office has been decorated this week by Uniting Wellington with origami houses and posters featuring key facts and statistics to shine a light on the growing need for secure housing.
“Every week I hear from people in our community who are desperate for housing,” Mr O’Brien said.
“Here in Gippsland South, we actually have fewer social housing properties now than we did a decade ago. That’s a damning indictment of the state’s housing policy.
“Every one of the origami houses being displayed around Gippsland South represents an actual home that is needed.”
Mr O’Brien said the problem is being compounded by the number of social housing properties left vacant for extended periods, often due to delays in maintenance work that prevent them from being re-let.
“I wrote to the Minister for Housing in May to raise concerns about reports that local social homes had been left unoccupied for months and received a response confirming these homes had been left vacant while awaiting maintenance.
“At a time when more than 55,000 Victorians are on the public housing waitlist, it is inexcusable that homes are sitting empty simply because basic repairs can’t be done.”
According to the 2025 Report on Government Services, Victoria continues to underperform in social housing occupancy rates, with only 95.6% of public housing and 88.4% of community housing tenanted — both below the national average.
Mr O’Brien said Homelessness Week was a chance to reflect, raise awareness, and demand better outcomes.
“Uniting Wellington have done a great job putting a spotlight on this issue in my office this week. But what we really need is meaningful change — because too many Victorians are still waiting for a safe place to call home.”