Increasing social housing and crisis accommodation remains a top priority for service organisations in Ballarat leading up to the state election.
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A Victorian Council of Social Service report released on Wednesday says regional communities are ‘crying out’ for more social housing.
The Voices of Regional Victoria provides a comprehensive report of the ‘burning social issues’ in Ballarat and nine other regional communities across Victoria, as a call for political candidates to focus their attention on local social challenges.
Regional communities are crying out for more social housing.
- Victorian Council of Social Service
Rental affordability and social housing, access to healthcare, food insecurity, transport links within and between regions and cost of living pressures, particularly fuel and internet, were identified as common priority issues across regional Victoria.
For Ballarat, a need for improved public transport frequencies in the Central Highlands is identified as a top priority.
“People struggle to get around the central highlands region. High fuel costs disproportionately affect rural and regional communities, because people travel further to work or to reach schools, sport, and recreation,” the report says.
Student disengagement was also listed as a major issue by Ballarat service organisations who called for increased funding for the Navigator program and work to get more students engaged in school.
The promotion of multiple tertiary education job pathways for young people, including rebuilding TAFE’s reputation, improved student support services, funding food insecurity programs and FoodBank hubs were also revealed as priority actions.
According to VCOSS data,14 per cent of people in Ballarat are living in poverty. Of those, 39 per cent of are in families with dependent children.
The report says support for families to pay for rising school costs and extracurricular activities is needed.
In regards to mental health, organisations are calling for new services to fill service gaps and support for students’ transition from early childhood education into primary school.
The release of these regional social priorities follows calls from Ballarat service organisations for a place-based response to local issues, like the Ballarat Foundation’s push for funding for the Ballarat Food Security Centre.
VCOSS chief executive Emma King said she wanted the report to push the political debate to what people need to lead safe, healthy and vibrant lives.
“Regional communities face unique, local challenges reflecting their history, character and resources. They demand unique, local solutions,” she said.
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