The Peninsula's housing crisis is pushing out local families while 20% of our homes sit empty. Ben will fight to unlock these properties for long-term rentals, create dedicated housing for essential workers and partner with local councils to build homes that maintain our peninsula's character. Common-sense solutions can support locals and keep our communities strong.
Ben learned early the importance of stable, affordable housing early in life. After his parents separated when he was seven, his mum worked multiple jobs to get Ben and his siblings into a stable home.
Today, as CEO of the Mornington Community Support Centre, Ben sees many of the same housing challenges affecting local families across Flinders. Young people can't afford to live in the communities where they grew up. Essential workers - from mechanics to nurses - are being priced out of the area. Teachers are commuting for an hour to get to the schools where they educate our kids. Meanwhile, over 20% of local housing stock sits empty for most of the year.
Through his career Ben has helped expand housing options for people who need it, by bringing people together around innovative local housing partnerships. He understands that protecting the peninsula's unique character and addressing the housing crisis aren't opposing goals - they're essential to each other.
As an independent, Ben will fight for the practical solutions like:
- Partnering with local councils to ensure the right mix of housing to meet the needs of a growing population.
- Restore public funding of housing to its long term average to take pressure off prices for families.
- Better targeting of Commonwealth Rent Assistance to support the 500,000 households who face rental stress even after receiving the payment.
Advocate for funding for “key worker” housing initiatives that will keep essential workers in our community.