Supporting affordable housing outcomes

Bayside City Council recognises the critical shortage of affordable housing across Melbourne and its impacts on those experiencing and at risk of homelessness.

Homelessness does not just mean sleeping rough on the streets. In fact, rough sleeping only makes up around 7% of homelessness in Victoria while the remainder is ‘hidden homelessness’, that is, people sleeping in cars, rooming houses, couch surfing, or staying in other types of temporary accommodation.

Bayside Mayor Cr Clarke Martin said Victoria has a homelessness and housing affordability crisis too big for any one person, business or government to solve alone.

“We’re committed to working with other Councils, State and Federal governments and non-for-profits to address the issue of housing affordability and help end homelessness,” Cr Martin said.

Homes for Homes is an independent, not-for-profit organisation, established by Australia’s largest and most successful social enterprise, The Big Issue.

With over 44,000 households in Victoria waiting for social housing, Homes for Homes has a mission to raise more than $1 billion for social and affordable housing. Homes for Homes will take the money raised and grant it to experienced housing providers to tackle the lack of homes for those living on or below the poverty line.

“Solving homelessness is a collective responsibility and I’m delighted to share that Bayside City Council support Homes for Homes,” Cr Martin said.

“Homes for Homes is a community-led initiative whereby any property owner or developer can contribute to the solution. It’s a smart approach to creating sustainable funding for social and affordable housing.”

Visit the Homes for Homes website for more information.

At the July Ordinary Meeting of Council, Bayside became one of 13 eastern and south eastern Councils endorsing the Regional Local Government Charter Homelessness & Social Housing.

The Charter recognises that housing is a human right for every person, that housing solves homelessness, and that social housing is core infrastructure for local communities.

Together, the 13 metropolitan councils represent more than 2 million residents and are united in seeking to influence the urgent need for increased social housing and a more effective, integrated and supported homelessness service system.

The Charter represents a powerful example of the local government sector’s ability to unite agendas and timelines with the fundamental commitment to solve homelessness through social housing.

With 32% of Victorians experiencing homelessness and 40% of people on the social housing waiting list living in Melbourne’s south east and eastern metro region, the Charter will go a long way in addressing the issue in the region.

Learn more about the Regional Local Government Charter Homelessness & Social Housing.