Michelle Taylor: Woman starts petition to use vacant shopfronts as homeless shelters

A Mount Gambier woman has an ambitious plan to help those sleeping rough as the region experiences a surge in people living in tents.

A Mount Gambier woman says vacant shopfronts including an unused Bunnings site should be used as shelters for the homeless.

Michelle Taylor started an online petition, which has 600 signatures so far, was started on Saturday after a camping business reported a surge in sales of tents for those sleeping rough.

A charity has also been handing out tents to those provide some form of shelter.

Ms Taylor said a squatter had been living in a caravan for months at the former Bunning site, on O’Leary Rd, before he was forced to move on recently.

“It made me think — where has he gone now?” she said.

“All these other people that have got kids in tents ... there’s no reason for that.”

Michelle Taylor with her children Drazic Lee St John and Dacota Taylor at the former Mount Gambier Bunnings site on O’Leary Rd. Picture: Arj Ganesan

Ms Taylor said locations including the former Bunnings and Coles site could offer vulnerable people somewhere “out of the weather and the wet”.

She said the sites could charge a small fee to cover security and other costs.

Thought she admits her plan is ambitious she hopes the petition will spark debate and “get the ball rolling”.

Jodie Redman has been separated from her two kids because of Mount Gambier's rental crisis. Arj Ganesan

It comes as prices to rent properties are increasing across South Australia including in the regions, forcing more people onto the streets.

Currently there are no limits on how much rent can be increased but those who believe their increase is “excessive” can apply to have their case reviewed by the South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

Paul Sundstrom, who lives off a disability support pension, has been forced to borrow money from his sister and find a new place to live after his landlord increased rent by $80. Picture: Arj Gansan

RentRight SA community services development head Kirsten Sandstorm said there was a power imbalance between landlords and tenants.

Ms Sandstorm said the term “reasonable” was measured by what the market values a property, not on a tenant’s ability to pay.

“There’s no legal obligation to consider the impact of a rental increase on the tenants,” she said.

Ms Sandstorm said it was a difficult situation as homeowners and investors had their own costs to consider.

“If you don’t increase your rents, then it defeats the purpose of investing in property,” she said.

Ms Sandstorm said the lack of rentals had also seen an increase in tenants renewing leases they found difficult to pay as they becoming homeless.

“Sometimes they sign up for the lease in the hope that will give them a bit more time to keep on looking for something else,” she said.

“There needs to be a review of the whole situation.”

Herbert Commercial is seeking tenants for the former Bunnings site at O’Leary Rd and Coles site at Helen St.

“Should an application for lease be submitted this would be presented to the owners for their consideration,” a spokesperson said.