Crisis averted: How cheap stay option may save jobs

Developer answers public plea for an emergency stay at two workers looked like being homeless for Christmas.

Social housing developer Ian Ugarte of Small Is The New Big may have helped find a stay for two French hospitality workers in Noosa. Picture: Ric Frearson.

Two overseas hospitality workers have been offered fresh hope of securing an affordable stay in Noosa thanks to a local developer who is on a mission to house people just like them.

French visitors Pauline NL and Elina S-Noguera made a public plea for an emergency stay after they were to lose their accommodation and job just before Christmas.

Homeless at Christmas: Workers need a cheap stay option

Urgent push to find affordable housing

But Small Is The New Big housing developer Ian Ugarte has with the help of the Sunshine Coast Daily hopes to help the two women.

French visitors Pauline NL and Elina S-Noguera may have founder a cheaper stay to help secure their Noosa hospitality jobs.

Mr Ugarte has offered them accommodation in his latest Noosaville cheap stay conversion which is racing to meet a Christmas Eve deadline for completion.

"What we cater for is the middle of the market," he said.

"They have their own bathroom their own bedroom and sitting room and they share one major kitchen so there's no cooking equipment in their rooms, they can wash their dishes in their rooms.

"Investors at the moment to get more cash flow are going and putting their houses on short stays which is absolutely damaging the long-term rental market.

Ian Ugarte, micro apartment developer: Picture: Ric Frearson

"We've now accommodated five separate people in a house and they're not taking up other houses which means it opens up homes for families to rent.

Mr Ugarte said his scheme came as a major change of heart.

"I pivoted and changed my business model and went towards community housing and making sure we're doing something beneficial for the community first," he said.

The two backpackers plan to inspect Mr Ugarte's property to hopefully secure the long-term stay they badly want after the Daily put them in contact with the developer.

Ms NL said they were "very interested" in the style of accommodation Small is The New Big is offering.

"We really want to settle down in Noosa for little while," she said.

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