Thursday, August 24, 2023

Issue:

Mackay and Whitsunday Life

Housing In Crisis Council Take Action

Calling for immediate action and a “crisis response” to the housing situation in the Whitsundays, Council has moved into strong advocacy mode by calling on the Australian Government to extend the deadline for the operation of the National Rental Affordability Scheme (NRAS).

At Wednesday’s ordinary meeting in Bowen, Mayor Julie Hall and Councillors voted unanimously to submit a motion to the Australian Local Government Association for potential inclusion in the National General Assembly 2023 Business Papers.

“As an elected advocate for our Whitsunday community, I am committed to creating a region where everyone should have access to safe, secure, and affordable housing,” said Mayor Hall.

“Unfortunately, many families and individuals in our community are currently struggling to find affordable rental accommodation, and this is a problem that needs urgent attention from the top tiers of government.”

Mayor Hall was recently contacted by a resident who said he would be homeless in June as well as his 82-year-old neighbour because the NRAS will end for them, and they can’t afford the 30 per cent increase in their rent.

The NRAS scheme helps people afford housing by providing incentives to property investors to build and rent out affordable housing, helping to increase the supply of rental properties and lower rental prices.

When the program begins its staggered shut-down soon, it will affect many households right across the region.

Mayor Hall says she is determined to advocate strongly for its extension.

“Families, couples and singles are counting on the Federal and State governments to act and it breaks my heart that homelessness is on the rise,” she said.

Homelessness in Queensland has increased by 22 per cent, and a recent report by the Queensland Council of Social Service revealed 300,000 people across Queensland are experiencing housing insecurity amid soaring rental prices and inadequate social housing supply.

“This is a crisis, and it deserves a crisis response,” said Mayor Hall.

“In the decade leading up to 2017, there was "minimal" investment by state and federal governments in affordable and social housing.”

Mayor Hall said the housing shortage and rental crisis are not issues that emerged overnight so there are no “quick fixes” that will see the problem disappear.

“Advocacy on behalf of my community to ensure they are not forgotten will be key as it is going to take a whole range of short, medium and long-term solutions to fix this crisis,” she said.

“By extending the NRAS, we can continue to create opportunities for our residents to secure affordable housing, and we can also support our local economy by encouraging investment in our region.”

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