Finding a rental property in Gippsland can be difficult these days – but data from Department of Family Fairness and Housing (DFFH) shows that finding one within an affordable price range is even harder.
According to the Homes Victoria September Quarter 2024 Rental Report median rental prices in Gippsland increased by 7.5 percent over the last 12 months, while availability of rentals reduced by 13.3 per cent in the same period.
The Nationals Member for Gippsland South, Mr O’Brien said what was particularly concerning was to see that of those available properties, only a third met the criteria for what is considered affordable for a low-income family.
“The Allan Labor Government’s increasing taxes and poor treatment of rental providers is driving them out of the market, and we are seeing rental stock dwindle as a result,” Mr O’Brien said.
“Labor continues to ignore the direct consequences for tenants already struggling with rising rent.
“You only have to take a look at the social housing waitlist, which has increased by a further six thousand applications since March 2024, to know that housing is being mismanaged in this state.”
Mr O’Brien highlighted that the most recent Homes Victoria Rental Report made it clear that Gippslanders were worse off under the Allan Labor Government.
“If you look at the local government level you will see that the South Gippsland Shire had around 150 rental properties just before Labor formed government in 2014 – of which over 88 percent met the affordability criteria for a low-income family.
“Fast forward to today and under Jacinta Allan and there are just 91 rental properties across South Gippsland with less than 50 per cent considered affordable.
“It’s a similar story in Wellington Shire which had over 300 rental properties in late 2014 – of which over 75 percent met the affordability criteria for a low-income family and now has just 215 with only 40 per cent affordable.
“The numbers are only getting worse and it is clear that Labor can’t manage money or infrastructure, and it is Gippslanders that are paying the price.”