2021-06-02
The Victorian Greens have called on the state government to reinstate protections for renters during the current lockdown to ensure no renter is forced to choose between food and rent.
The Greens want to see both a moratorium on evictions and rent relief grants re-established so that no-one is at risk of losing their home because of the extended lockdown.
Leader of the Victorian Greens, Samantha Ratnam, said many renters were also casual workers who would be losing out financially as a result of this lockdown.
She added that while the government had previously provided protections for renters during the pandemic, these protections had since expired and needed to urgently be reinstated.
Before this pandemic the state of housing in Victoria was precarious at best, but now renters across the state are once again at serious risk of being unable to afford rent, food and other essentials without urgent support.
During such unprecedented times the government must assure Victorians that everyone has a right to shelter by supporting renters.
The Greens also want to see some form of emergency payment provided from the government on a state or federal level to casual workers out-of-work due to lockdown restrictions.
Quotes attributable to Leader of the Victorian Greens, Samantha Ratnam MLC:
“A ban on evictions and access to rent relief grants are the lifelines renters around the state urgently need right now.
“We know casual workers will be among the hardest hit during this lockdown, and we also know that many casual workers are renters.
“That’s why we’re calling on the government to reinstate the protections it allowed to expire earlier this year so no-one is at risk of losing their home in the coming months.
“The Acting Premier and the Treasurer must step up and assure Victorians that everyone has a right to shelter and a roof over their heads.