The recent Supreme Court decision regarding the demolition of public housing towers in North Melbourne and Flemington, which ruled that the Victorian Government department Homes Victoria was not required to consult residents beforehand, is deeply concerning. This decision highlights a broader issue in our housing system: the lack of protection for vulnerable communities who rely on public housing for their safety, stability, and wellbeing.
At Juno, we firmly believe that the future of Melbourne’s public housing must be shaped by those who live in it, not imposed from the top down. In our Submission to the Inquiry, we emphasise that the wellbeing of residents should be the central consideration in any decisions regarding public housing. Displacing vulnerable communities without guaranteed replacement of public housing units will only exacerbate the existing housing crisis and further entrench social inequality.
Our Submission calls for a comprehensive, community-led approach that amplifies the voices of residents, safeguards public housing, and adopts strategies that genuinely uphold the needs and rights of all who depend on these homes for their safety, stability, and wellbeing—especially women (trans and cis), non-binary people and children.
We urge the Victorian Government to reconsider their approach and prioritise the wellbeing of public housing residents. It is time to safeguard these essential homes in line with the needs of the communities who depend on them.
