News
16 July, 2024
Homelessness is skyrocketing
Homelessness across the Moreton Bay region has increased by over 90 per cent in the last decade, while the number of people recorded “sleeping rough” in public spaces has nearly doubled each year since 2021.
The devastating social issue is only the “tip of the iceberg”, charity groups say, adding that many marginalised groups are not accounted for in official figures.
“The issue is bigger than it might appear to the public”, a Moreton Bay Council spokesperson said.
“There are many people that are sleeping rough, in vehicles, that are unknown to council, not engaging with services, and are often hidden from community. “They may be working and sleeping in their vehicle.
“There are also many people that are living temporarily with family and friends, in hotel/motel accommodation, and living in overcrowded housing.”
Salvation Army Homelessness Manager Queensland, Aaron Pimlott, said demand for homelessness services has remained “consistently strong” for the past two years, beyond their resources.
“As you drive around, people can be seen living in tents, overcrowding is happening, which puts their tenancy at risk,” he said.
“Due to shame and selfstigma we tend to hide our social problems, so what we see driving around would be the tip of the iceberg.
“The issue is not just those seeking Centrelink support, but working families are also living in tents and sleeping in their cars. There are a lot of families in hotels/motels from the State Governments Immediate Housing Response for Families initiative.”
According to Mr Pimlott, the housing crisis is the main contributor to this problem, adding the impact of cost-of-living, rent and rate increases, and COVID has all contributed to the problem.
“The housing crisis is a systemic problem due to decades of poor policy and resources, and lack of a state and national housing plan over this timeframe,” he said.
“Housing is a human right, you have a right to a home so please reach out for support.”
Pressure on government
The State Government has been making eff orts to support councils across Queensland, with the Department of Housing, Local Government, Planning and Public Works’s Critical Response Teams (CRT) commencing outreach in Moreton Bay in July 2023.
“Since July 2023, outreach has occurred daily in Moreton Bay and the CRT has supported 134 people experiencing homelessness with housing outcomes, including temporary accommodation, supported accommodation and long-term housing,” a departmental spokesperson said.
One of the initiatives created by the Queensland Government to assist individuals experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness is the $526 million Homes for Queenslanders plan.
The State Government announced 24 new social homes are under construction in Caboolture as part of this plan.
The homes are being built with accessibility in mind, with three apartments being built to Platinum, nine to Gold and 12 to Silver standard under the state’s Livable Housing Guidelines, suitable for people with a disability and seniors with mobility needs.
State Member for Morayfield Mark Ryan said the one-bedroom units will help free up larger social homes for families in need, as seniors looking to downsize will be able to move.
“Meeting with the local housing team, and hearing the stories of people our social homes are helping reinforces why we’re delivering the Homes for Queenslanders plan,” he said.
Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon said these homes are helping Queenslanders, naming locals Leone and her husband, Ian, as an example of people enjoying their new homes.
“Our Homes for Queenslanders plan is getting more shovels in the ground and tradies on the tools to build the homes Queenslanders need,” she said.
Leone and Ian recently moved into their new accessible unit, with Ian, a former Naval officer, being paralysed after a stroke.
“I love our little unit, we’ve got a patio and a garden. I can help Ian into his wheelchair and we can duck to the little shopping complex, which has a bakery, butcher, newsagent and the like, for the basics,’’ Leone said.
Despite these State Government initiatives, a Moreton Bay Council spokesperson said the city needs more immediate solutions to the growing crisis, as these social homes are long-term solutions.
“The social housing system has not kept pace with the pressure that’s being put on it, and that pressure has increased locally,” they said.
“We would call on the State Government to address the current shortfall of crisis and transitional accommodation for people experiencing, and/or at-risk of, homelessness within Moreton Bay as an urgent priority.
“Alongside policy issues, meaning limited availability of affordable housing and social housing, including crisis accommodation, other factors include domestic and family violence as a leading cause of homelessness.”
According to the Department of Housing, Local Government, Planning and Public Works, some of the emerging hotspots for homeless in Moreton Bay are Woody Point, Woodford and Redcliffe.
Identifying that 50 per cent of people “sleeping rough” in the region are in Redcliffe, Moreton Bay Council announced construction has started at the new Peninsula Support Hub in Redcliffe at the end of June.
The $6.7 million project, half funded by Council and half by the State Government, will provide a new facility for local providers, such as The Breakfast Club and The Salvation Army, to reach more people experiencing homelessness and connect them to the services they need.
The hub will also serve as a space where anyone can get a warm meal from the commercial grade kitchen, access shower and laundry facilities, and share conversation.
“We know it’s not the usual remit of local government but we couldn’t just stand back on this issue – it’s just too important,” Moreton Bay Mayor Peter Flannery said.
“We have worked closely with both tenants to ensure this purpose-built facility will be a central hub to support the critical services they provide to the community.”
Homes left vacant
State Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington, has called out SeqWater and the State Government for allowing 10 homes in the Somerset Dam Village to remain vacant since 2020.
“For four years, these sturdy, decent homes have sat empty while families from our region desperately search to put a roof over their heads,” she said.
“I am calling on the State Government and SeqWater to make a decision about these houses as soon as possible so the community can understand how they will be used in the future.”
A SeqWater spokesperson said the 10 homes owned by them will be used to support the Somerset Dam Improvement Project (SDIP) for site off ices during the early and enabling works phase, as well as worker accommodation during construction.
“Having onsite accommodation would minimise impacts on the local housing market and reduce local traffic flows and other disruptions during construction in this multi-year project,” they said.
“These houses were built as workers’ cottages for the construction of the dam from 1935, with SeqWater currently undertaking detailed structural assessments due to their age.”
It’s expected these assessments will be completed this year, informing planned refurbishments of the houses so that they meet required housing standards.
The reason given for these homes being vacant since 2020 is the consideration of land use, particularly in relation to the SDIP.
Ms Frecklington said it’s “unacceptable” these homes have remained vacant during this time, “when so many vulnerable people can’t find accommodation.”
“We have now been waiting on the results of the Somerset Dam Improvement Project Detailed Business Case since it was first announced in 2016,” she said.
Water Minister, Glenn Butcher said the properties were to ensure workforce for the Dam doesn’t impact housing in the region, calling it “operational matters” for SeqWater.
“The Member for Nanango’s suggestion to put people in these homes, just to kick them out when workers move in, is ridiculous,” he said.
On-site works for the SDIP are expected to start in 2025, weather and site conditions permitting, with approximately 150 jobs expected to be supported throughout the life of the project.
Housing and homeless support organisation InCommunity provides mobile services in Lowood, with CEO Paul Tommasini saying it is difficult to pin down demand for homeless services in the Somerset region.
“People often leave the region when they become homeless due to rural areas not being well serviced, with no transport infrastructure,” he said.
“In Esk, you don’t really have options unless you have a car, but to have a car you need money and often people need money for other things instead.”
Mr Tommasini added that the sheer number of homeless people in the Somerset, Scenic Rim and Lockyer Valley regions is much lower than in the cities, but the demand for services is much higher due to the lack of options available.
“You might only have 10 homeless people, but their options are so limited because there are no train lines and there might only be a handful of rentals on the market, all costing too much, so they have to move,” he said.
Due to the small overall number of homeless residents that live in the area, there are no permanent services dedicated to Somerset available.
InCommunity served around 3,000 people in the Somerset, Scenic Rim and Lockyer Valley regions over the previous financial year.
InCommunity served around 3,000 people in the Somerset, Scenic Rim and Lockyer Valley regions over the previous financial year.
If you are at risk of becoming homeless or currently experiencing homelessness, please call the state government’s Homelessness Hot line on 1800 474 753.
Anyone in the Moreton Bay and Somerset Region who requires housing assistance can contact their local Housing Service Centre by calling 13QGOV or qld.gov.au/housing/public-communityhousing/housing-servicecentre.
