According to the numbers released by the Minister for Housing, Wendy Lovell, waiting list for early housing has gone up by 8.6 per cent since September last year.

The December 2011 figures show that there are now 215 people waiting for early housing in Ballarat, up from 198.

This growth follows an increase of 4.7 per cent in the three months to September 2011.

According to the department’s website, “early housing” is for people who are experiencing or at risk of recurring homelessness, people with a disability who have substantial support needs, and people with special housing needs.

Ballarat West MP Sharon Knight said the further rise in the priority waiting list was a real concern.

“Another 17 families on this list in just three months shows the level of need in Ballarat that isn’t being met by the Baillieu government,” Ms Knight said.

“Families on the early housing waiting list are the most in need in our community. These people are homeless or at risk of again becoming homeless.”

However, a spokesperson for Minister Lovell said the increase in numbers was a positive sign, with more of the vulnerable given priority.

“Early housing is offered to people who have a demonstrated need to be housed earlier, for example they may be facing homelessness,” she said.

“Improved management of the waiting list has meant that a number of applicants have been reassessed and given higher priority.”

But the Department’s figures reveal that the total number of people waiting for public housing in Ballarat has also gone up from 985 to 995.

UnitingCare executive director Cliff Barclay said more affordable housing was urgently needed in the area.

“The waiting list is unlikely to go down in the short term,” Mr Barclay said.

“The government needs a long-term plan (to meet the housing crunch) and needs to construct more housing.”

Minister Lovell’s spokeswoman said the Department was committed to providing more affordable housing for the Ballarat region, with 149 social homes planned for the Ballarat region, funded through the Commonwealth government’s Nation Building initiative.