On any night, an estimated 925 people in Dandenong have no home. Community welfare group ARAFEMI is calling on state candidates for Dandenong district to tackle homelessness.
'It's also important that we bolster mental health services in the area because those who suffer from depression are at greater risk of becoming homeless.'
ARAFEMI housing and outreach support programs manager Hugo Steinbergs says the state government collected about $5 billion in property taxes last year.
"Spending just one-tenth of that on homes for those in need would make an enormous contribution to tackling homelessness in Victoria," he said.
He called on Dandenong district candidates to commit themselves to five actions:
■ Join the federal government target to halve homelessness by 2020.
■ Deliver 3000 more affordable homes a year across Victoria.
■ Ensure a better start for homeless young people through initiatives such as guaranteeing a home for children leaving state care.
■ End the cycle of homelessness by providing support where it was needed for as long as it was needed.
■ Invest in the homelessness workforce delivering services to those in need.
WAYSS homeless service manager Mark O'Callaghan said more single-person accommodation was needed in the area.
The Weekly asked candidates how they would tackle homelessness.
Incumbent Dandenong MP and ALP member John Pandazopoulos said the Labor Party had a strong focus on increasing new private building stock which helped rental availability.
"We have had a record investment in social and public housing in the past few years and a very strong investment in homeless support including the Robinson Street facility.
"It is important to note that many councils have objected to social housing projects which in some cases have led to increased costs and delays that are unfortunate."
Greens candidate for Dandenong Matthew Kirwan said the Greens believed housing was a basic human right and it would tackle homelessness as a priority.
"People being forced into homelessness is unacceptable in a wealthy country such as ours. The Greens' goal is the elimination of homelessness."
He said the Greens would bring social housing stock up to at least 5 per cent by 2014, an increase of 29,000 affordable homes.
The Greens would also aim to prevent homelessness through better integration of services, financial support, crisis accommodation, family accommodation and more access for people in crisis to permanent housing.
A spokesman for Family First said it supposed more funding for the non-profit sector to expand services to the homeless.
Family First would address housing affordability by abolishing stamp duty for first-home buyers for houses up to $400,000.
"Dandenong would be part of a targeted approach by Family First to reduce homelessness, as it's an area which is home to many living on the poverty line.
"However, it's also important that we bolster mental health services in the area because those who suffer from depression are at greater risk of becoming homeless."
A spokesman for the Liberal Party did not respond by deadline.
Email a friend