Vanessa Hall  

Editor

FOR MANY Sunshine Coast families, the fear of losing their home is no longer something that happens to other people, and this Homelessness Week, which runs from August 3-9, people are being urged to consider others and look at the crisis which is happening across the country.

New research has found almost one in four Australians are not confident they could avoid homelessness if they faced an unexpected setback such as losing a job, serious illness, family violence, a relationship breakdown or a sharp rise in housing costs.

The research, commissioned by Wesley Mission and conducted by McCrindle, also suggests attitudes towards homelessness are changing.

Nearly seven in 10 Australians believe homelessness could happen to almost anyone, while only 12 per cent think it is mainly the result of personal choices. 

Wesley Mission managing director Bay Warburon said the survey reflected what frontline workers were seeing every day.

“One unexpected life event should not mean losing your home. Yet one in four Australians tell us they are not confident they could avoid homelessness if life takes an unexpected turn,” Mr Warburton said.

“Homelessness does not begin when someone sleeps rough. It often begins much earlier with a rent increase, a lost job, serious illness, family violence or relationship breakdown. More Australians now recognise homelessness is not about blame. It can happen to almost anyone when life circumstances change.”

National peak body Homelessness Australia (HA) said Australia’s housing shortage is putting increasing pressure on people already doing it tough.

According to the organisation, there were 122,494 people experiencing homelessness on Census night in 2021, an increase of 5.2 per cent since 2016. More than one-third were children and young people under the age of 24.

The organisation said an estimated three million Australians are now at risk of homelessness, where just one setback could leave them without secure housing. At the same time, affordable rentals remain out of reach for many people on low incomes, and homelessness services are struggling to meet demand.

Local help  
Sunshine Coast Council estimates some 1,205 people are currently experiencing homelessness across the region, and they have service providers listed on their website.

In Coolum, that support is visible every Tuesday morning outside the Uniting Church on Elizabeth Street, where two community organisations quietly lend a hand to people doing it tough.

Orange Sky parks its distinctive orange van beside the church, offering free washing and drying of clothes, while the SOS Food Mart opens its doors next door with donated groceries, fresh produce and essential personal care items available for free.

Volunteers also put on tea, coffee and a simple meal when they can – creating a welcoming place where people can sit, chat and access practical support without judgement.

Both services have reported seeing increasing demand as the cost of living continues to rise. People seeking help range from those sleeping rough to families and workers struggling to keep up with soaring housing costs.

Is there a fix for homelessness? 
According to HA, homelessness isn’t inevitable; it’s the result of decades of underinvestment in social and affordable housing, and a housing market that has failed people on low incomes.

Australia has a shortfall of over 600,000 affordable rental homes, leaving more and more people without a viable path to secure housing. But housing alone isn’t enough. Gaps in support systems such as mental health care, disability support, and family violence services also leave people without the help they need to stay housed or recover from crisis. If people can find a home they can afford and get the right support, far fewer will become homeless, and those who do will have a faster path back to stability.

According to HA, homelessness can be ended, but only if there is an investment in the solutions that work. Building more social and affordable housing would ease pressure in the rental market and give people a real chance at stability. Currently, social housing comprises about four per cent of total housing stock. The National Housing Supply and Affordability Council is calling for targets of 10 per cent of housing stock to be social and affordable housing.

HA believes that the Housing First model is one of the most successful approaches to reducing long-term homelessness. Rather than expecting people to address issues such as mental health, alcohol and drug use or unemployment before they qualify for housing, the model provides people with a permanent home first, followed by the support they need to stay housed and rebuild their lives.

The model recognises that having a safe, secure place to live gives people the stability to focus on their health, employment, education and relationships.

Mr Warburon highlighted the importance of helping people before they reach crisis point.

“Crisis response alone is not enough. We need stronger prevention, early intervention and support before people lose their home.

“With the right support at the right time, we can help people through life’s toughest moments before a housing crisis becomes homelessness.”

What do you think is the best approach to fixing homelessness on the Sunshine Coast? Why not send in a letter to the editor – editor@coolumadvertiser.com.au