By Mitchell Clarke
La Trobe has been recognised as Australia’s fasting growing electorate, with more first home buyers flocking to the area than ever before, all in search of a chance to enter the housing market.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison visited Officer’s Timbertop Estate on Monday 17 February to meet first home buyers in the south-east who took up the Federal Government’s First Home Loan Deposit scheme.
The scheme provides a guarantee that will allow eligible first home buyers on low and middle incomes to purchase a home with a deposit of as little as five percent.
Since January, over 5000 people have accessed the scheme across the country, with more than half receiving pre-approval to search for their first home.
The Prime Minister said the scheme was targeted at helping people who “needed it most”.
“We’re seeing communities built and we’re seeing first home owners get into their first homes,” Mr Morrison said.
“It is a sign of growing confidence that we are seeing the housing market improve, it’s a sign that people can see forward and they are backing themselves and our economy.
“There are certainly challenges but the strength and the resilience of the economic plan that our Government has been rolling out is putting Australians in a stronger position to fulfil their own dreams, to get ahead and to have that go.”
Housing Minister Michael Sukkar added the scheme was “changing lives” by fast-tracking people into the market.
“Being out in a new estate like this gives you confidence for the future – these are people who of course are feeling confident about their own future, confident enough to commit to buying a home and building here in what is going to be a wonderful suburb,” Mr Sukkar said.
La Trobe MP Jason Wood echoed the sentiment and said more and more people were deciding to call the electorate home.
“It’s kind of ironic we’re here in Officer because three years ago there were no houses here,” Mr Wood said.
“La Trobe is now the fastest growing electorate and that means we’re having so many first home owners moving to La Trobe, so this scheme is so important for local people who are trying to buy their first house.”
Harjinder Singh is looking to bring his young family out to the south-east and has plans to purchase their first home in Pakenham or Officer.
“These programs are really important, it’s a great idea and it makes it easier. It’s going to really help us,” Mr Singh said.
The taxi driver, who currently rents in Mitcham, said it was simply too hard to afford homes around Mitcham and Vermont.
“Paying the rent and trying to save is really difficult, especially because my wife is not working.
“When we buy the home, when the time comes, it’ll be a very exciting time, especially for my wife,” he laughed.
Another 10,000 positions under the scheme will be made available from 1 July.
