Around the various corners of the Archdiocese of Melbourne, a quiet, determined effort is being made to house over 400 hundred people. Elderly people, refugees, asylum seekers, people living with mental illness and others on low incomes are living in properties owned by Catholic parishes and religious orders.
One in five Catholic parishes in Melbourne are involved in this work and many more are considering how they can address housing needs. These are the findings in a social housing survey conducted by Catholic Social Services Victoria's Social Housing Working Group.
The Catholic Bishops' 2018-2019 Social Justice Statement, A Place to Call Home, will be a response to the growing problem of homelessness in Australia.
To be released in September, and promoted in parishes on 30 September 2018, Social Justice Sunday, the document, according to Archbishop Mark Coleridge, lays down some clear guidance: 'Secure housing is a human right and an incontestable public good, affirmed by both Catholic teaching and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.'
This is yet another recognition of the housing crisis facing Australia. While there has been a significant growth in property investment, promoted in part through negative gearing, affordable housing stock has not kept pace with Australia's population increases.
Slow wage growth has impacted many households competing in the housing market, placing increased pressure on the housing support sector.
The Melbourne survey identified a range of parish responses: some partnered with government to construct low cost housing on church land, while others utilised properties bought when housing was more affordable.
"Governments need to consider housing in the same way as other infrastructure requirements and resource the need accordingly."
Some parishes work with Catholic social service agencies such as Catholic Care and Sacred Heart Mission, who provide tenancy management and support. Many parishes have no additional property, but wish they did, as the indications are clear that additional low cost housing is badly needed.
Some other parishes struggle to meet expenses, and some use or develop any additional property to generate income. The survey identified a further 38 properties that could be redeveloped, but the complexity and expense makes it difficult for many parishes to seriously consider a social housing development project.
Members of the Working Group are advancing a number of these potential social housing development options. Work is also underway across the other Victorian Dioceses, with a view to a more comprehensive report. This will provide a base level of information that can serve as