The Wide Bay region is experiencing a surge in homelessness. This is affecting the whole community, including young people, women over 50 and families being exited from tenancies due to rent increases.

Housing and homelessness services in both the Fraser Coast and Bundaberg Regional Council areas have significant concerns about the current lack of affordable housing, as well as increasing rates of homelessness across our region.

It’s predicted the situation will continue to escalate unless multiple strategies are put in place to provide a variety of housing options.

The Hervey Bay Neighbourhood Centre and other local services have developed the Strategic Housing paper for the Wide Bay which has recently been updated.

This paper identifies the local needs for housing, what is currently being delivered, and potential short, medium and long-term strategies to address the complex issues of housing in our region.

A short-term goal identified in the strategic housing paper relates to the approval of caravans being allowed to remain on residential properties for up to six months.

This requires a change to the Fraser Coast Regional Council Local Law. We support the draft local law, as proposed in the October council meeting.

This has the potential to provide immediate accommodation and could allow the community to support each other during the housing shortage.