Quantum Support Services is highlighting the Gippsland’s housing and homelessness crisis this Homelessness Week, 7-13 August.

Quantum Support Services chief executive officer Natalie McDonald said everybody deserves a home.

“The last Census shows that, on any given night, at least 30,000 Victorians are without a home, including 6,800 children,” Ms McDonald said.

“Our Morwell electorate had an 85 per cent increase of homelessness over the five years from 2016-2021, and it is now ranked in the top 10 electorates for growing homelessness in the state. Narracan and Gippsland South electorates were also ranked in the top 50.

“Since March 2020, Inner Gippsland has had an almost 32 per cent median rent increase, from $300 to $395 per week.

“These alarming figures highlight that we are in desperate need for more social and affordable housing, and a National Plan to End Homelessness.”

As part of Homelessness Week activities, Quantum has supported the Victorian Homelessness Network’s statewide campaign, Houses at Parliament.

“For the past month our Quantum team made origami houses which were presented to Parliament House, highlighting the urgent need for governments to fix the housing crisis and end homelessness for some of our community’s most vulnerable people,” Ms McDonald said.

The Houses at Parliament campaign called on the State Government to commit to building at least 6000 new social houses each year, as well as a national plan to end homelessness.

“Homelessness is not inevitable. With enough social and affordable homes and the right support, everyone in the community can be permanently housed,” Ms McDonald said.