ROSEBERRY Queensland has seen a two hundred per cent increase in youth homelessness since December last year.
General Manager Michelle Coats said the staggering increase was driven by a lack of affordable housing locally.
“We are seeing 30 tenancy applications being made per house,” she said.
“A young person has little chance of competing with a more secure family applicant.”
Ms Coats said at any given time 148 Gladstone young people are homeless.
“We need more affordable housing targeted at young people,” she said.
“Long term, we need to focus on addressing causal factors for homelessness with programs to address family violence, alcohol and drug abuse, and support mental wellbeing and stronger families.”
Central Queensland has experienced an 11.2 per cent increase in the cost of rental houses over the past 12 months, and as of March has a one point two per cent rental vacancy rate.
Real Estate Institute of Queensland (REIQ) said with no support measures announced for the established housing sector in last year’s State Budget, the REIQ believes the Palaszczuk Government must “take immediate action to resolve our current rental crisis.
“The rental sector plays a critical role in Queensland’s housing system and the role and size of our investor market has never been so important,” REIQ CEO Antonia Mercorella said.
“The State Government say they want to help households transition from community housing to housing in the private rental market. Given that, more needs to be done to better support both increased and ongoing property investor activity in the Queensland property market and the contributions they make to the State economy.”
Roseberry’s Dignity Hub provides residents (of any age) access to free laundry and bathroom facilities, access to perishable food items for those experiencing crisis, and information and referral to other support services.
The hub is available on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays between 9:30am and 12:30pm at 20 Rollo Street in Gladstone.
Non-perishable food and toiletries are always in high demand.
Contact the Roseberry Team on 4972 0047 for more information on items in need, and how to donate.
Article source gladstonenews.com.au.
