Housing crisis horror stories detailed in parliament as Northern Rivers politician says it’s time for real action

Horror stories caused by the Northern Rivers’ worsening housing crisis have been detailed in parliament, with a Northern Rivers politician saying the situation is spiralling out of control.

Richmond MP Justine Elliot has told parliament that many people in her electorate are forced to pay astronomical rents and can't afford groceries.

Horror stories caused by the Northern Rivers’ worsening housing crisis have been detailed in parliament, with a Northern Rivers politician saying the situation is spiralling out of control.

Richmond MP Justine Elliot said the situation was “getting worse day by day”.

“Our region has seen the largest increase in house prices across the entire nation,” she said.

“Recent reports show that house prices on the New South Wales North Coast have risen more in the past 12 months than anywhere across Australia … forlocals it essentially means they’ve been priced out of the market.

“For so many first home buyers in our region the dream of owning their own home is completely unattainable.

“It is practically impossible for first home buyers to even get into the market.”

But, as Ms Elliot outlined, it’s not just homebuyers who are struggling ‒ renters are also having trouble finding and affording properties.

“Every day locals are contacting me and telling me how hard it is to find a place to rent or that their rent has suddenly skyrocketed overnight, forcing them to move out because they simply cannot afford it,” she said.

“So many long-term locals, the people who have lived in our region their whole lives, are being forced out of the area, because they just can’t find a place to live.

“In some cases we see rents double overnight.

“For many people, they’re paying that rent but they just can’t afford to eat.

“Many working families that cannot afford to buy groceries to eat, because all of their money has to go into paying these huge increases in rent.”

Another flow-on effect is homelessness.

Ms Elliot said she understood there were more than 400 women in the Byron region who were sleeping in their cars.

“This is a disgrace and it must be addressed,” she said.

She called for a national housing affordability plan, and outlined Labor’s policy to create the housing Australia future fund, which would build social and affordable housing.

“This fund will create jobs, build homes and change lives,” Ms Elliot said.

“It’s so important to have that massive investment in housing projects, social housing and affordable housing.”