UPDATE: Nearly 74% of Victorian renters are struggling to access vital support services, with urgent calls for government intervention intensifying. New data reveals that 2,682 people reached out for help from Tenants Victoria in October alone, yet only 776 received assistance. This alarming situation has prompted calls for a $21.3 million investment in next year’s budget to address what officials are labeling a crisis in renter support.
Jessica, a single mother of two, recently faced a housing nightmare after moving into a new rental property in Reservoir, just 20 km from Melbourne’s CBD. What she thought would be her dream home quickly turned into a hazardous situation, with exposed electrical wiring and missing plumbing causing her children to dub it the “nightmare house.” “There were no smoke alarms installed. There were no locks on windows,” she said, detailing her harrowing experience.
After just one day in the new home, Jessica discovered serious safety issues, prompting her to hire an electrician at her own expense. “I felt really powerless in all of it, like I just wanted a home for me and my kids,” she expressed. The property manager was unreachable during a critical time when urgent repairs were needed, leaving Jessica to navigate the situation alone.
The crisis is compounded by a significant increase in eviction notices for rental arrears, which have surged five-fold over the past two years. Chief executive of Tenants Victoria, Jennifer Beveridge, emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “Every unanswered call represents a Victorian renter facing eviction, struggling with rent arrears, or dealing with unsafe living conditions.”
As Jessica dealt with the fallout from her rental ordeal, she incurred costs close to $5,000 for dual rent payments and transportation for her children to their new school. “They call it the house of hell,” she lamented, reflecting on the emotional toll of the experience.
The data indicates that Tenants Victoria receives an average of 160 calls per day, but the lack of support for such a high volume of callers is alarming. Beveridge insists that a modest investment from the state government could help prevent what she describes as a complete breakdown of housing situations for many renters.
This developing crisis signals a pressing need for immediate action. With rising numbers of renters facing unsafe living conditions and eviction threats, the Victorian government is urged to prioritize support for those in need. As this situation continues to escalate, renters like Jessica are left hoping for a resolution that can ensure safe and secure housing for themselves and their families.
Stay tuned for updates on this urgent issue as authorities respond to the growing crisis in Victoria.
