Sunshine Coast's poor given tents to live in

1:52p.m. 10th October 2007

The Sunshine Coast's spiralling rental prices and plummeting housing affordability has led to one local charity distributing tents to the homeless.

Last week, an Australian Property Monitors' report found the median rent for a house on the Sunshine Coast had risen 11% in the last year while unit rental prices were up 24%.

Social Justice Committee chairman of the St Vincent de Paul Society, Robert Leach, said the housing crisis extended beyond those living below the poverty line and was now affecting people on average incomes.

Mr Leach said rental price hikes were forcing many people out of the region and there was an urgent need for more emergency and public housing on the Sunshine Coast.

"We've actually distributed some tents to people," he told ABC radio.

"We know that there are people who are sleeping in cars.

"While I can't give the exact figures, it's prevalent and it isn't surprising, because rents have gone up so severely in such a short time."

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Recent Comments

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Posted by buderimbob from Buderim

on 10 October, 2007 at 2:35 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

In this time of prosperity it is an indictment on the governments, both Federal and State, that housing isn't supplied for the less fortunate. In past years the Housing Commission and later Government Housing were set up to allow people to rent or purchase houses from these bodies. Surely a Smart State or a Smart Federal Government department could be able to access some of the surpluses which are accumulated each year for this vital component of providing shelter for families of the poorer paid workers.

Posted by Crankyoldbaldman from Buderim

on 10 October, 2007 at 3:31 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

Better than a kick in the teeth I say.

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