Rental housing is proving hard to find in central Victoria with vacancy rates lower than one percent in towns such as Castlemaine and Maryborough.
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Housing advocates say the competitive market puts pressure on the most vulnerable renters.
Waller Realty has only three rental properties available in the Castlemaine area. One in Castlemaine, two in Maldon.
Director Narelle Waller believes that the demand has been driven by families moving to the region searching for work life balance.
While many buy a house, lots test the waters by renting first.
“We’re experiencing a huge amount of demand for rental properties, unfortunately at the moment our supply is very short,” Ms Waller said.
It’s the same story in Maryborough. General manager of Maryborough Ballarat Real Estate Allister Morrison said the rental vacancy rate sat at under 0.7 percent.
Almost no new or recently renovated properties were available.
The competitive environment has proved tough for those on the lower end of the rental market.
When team leader Michael McMahon started working for what is now Castlemaine Housing Service eight years ago, there were normally half a dozen places available when people needed accommodation.
Now the homelessness support service is lucky to find one.
Even then people on the disability support pension or Newstart are competing for the rental with a number of people who are working.
“In reality there’s nothing available in Castlemaine,” Mr McMahon said.
“The odd one comes up, everyone’s going for it. It doesn’t sort make a dint in the homelessness or affordability.”
The tight market means Mr McMahon knows of half a dozen people sleeping rough in and around Castlemaine, couch surfing, or sleeping in overcrowded or unsuitable conditions.
Some are living in unhealthy, violent relationships simply because they have no where else to go.
For this reason the agency is working to develop an alternative affordable housing, a set of tiny homes.
The service has asked anyone with land available, or who might want to contribute financially to the project, to contact it.
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Elspeth Kernebone
Accident brought me to journalism, but every day convinces me again that strong media is more important than ever. After a starting off as the sole reporter in a tiny NSW town, I’m loving the teeming metropolis that is Bendigo. Focussed on health, business and education. Got a tip? Email elspeth.kernebone@bendigoadvertiser.com.au.
Accident brought me to journalism, but every day convinces me again that strong media is more important than ever. After a starting off as the sole reporter in a tiny NSW town, I’m loving the teeming metropolis that is Bendigo. Focussed on health, business and education. Got a tip? Email elspeth.kernebone@bendigoadvertiser.com.au.
