Pregnant women left without homes, older women trapped in caravan parks as housing crisis deepens

One expert reveals the ‘condemning’ stories of the Northern Rivers homelessness struggle as he urges all levels of government to stop ‘passing the buck’.

Mr Ellis said the Lismore mum-to-be now faced the stress of not finding a secure home before she gives birth.

A Lismore mum-to-be could be facing homelessness for her and her upcoming bub due the “desperate” crisis facing the region.

The pregnant mum is currently anguished, trying to find a rental.

However, at her last inspection, there were more than 50 people applying, making the reality of finding one in time for the birth extremely slim.

Another Lismore woman is currently living in a caravan park where she “doesn’t feel safe or secure” because she cannot find a rental.

These are just two of the many first-hand examples Baptist Care’s General Manager of Community Services and Housing Robert Ellis is dealing with currently.

He, like other people working in the not-for-profit sector, is looking down the barrel of one of the worst housing crises on record and is calling upon the public to advocate for better housing solutions before the NSW state budget.

Mr Ellis said recent Anglicare housing data revealed the magnitude of the Lismore crisis, with no properties available in the region for single parents of one to two children on Newstart.

While those on low income, minimum wage had 41 properties ‘available’, only four are suitable for single persons and only six are suitable for a couple with two children.

“Basically for those two type of tenants, there’s total of 10 properties out of 41,” he said.

“They have nowhere to go at all.”

He said NSW had long been the worst state for homelessness but other factors such as the Covid-19 pandemic had increased the problem tenfold.

“We like to win at sport and various other things but now NSW is the current winner in the terms of the number of people that are homeless,” he said.

“That is a really condemning statistic for our state.”

While Baptist Care Hope Street currently owns 81 units over two Lismore locations for affordable and social housing and provided support for those at-risk of becoming homeless, the effort still wasn’t enough to curb an “unmet demand” for our town.

It had led Mr Ellis to call upon leaders of all levels of government to step up urgently.

“It requires a nation plan with national targets, one which is much longer than an election cycle,” he said.

“Part of the problem is you can’t a plan looking a three year horizon.

“The Federal and State have initiated some funding but it’s not enough and certainly not a long-term commitment.

“They need to hold themselves accountable and say we take it seriously and report back to the public.

“No more blame shifting or passing the buck.”

Mr Ellis said local governments needed to also step up by making land available to those looking to build affordable and social housing.

For those struggling with homelessness, a national plan could not only secure a roof over their heads but a change of life.

For example, just recently one of Mr Ellis’ clients, a young Lismore mum hailing from a domestic violence background, was able to enter the private rental market and begin her new job thanks to the organisation’s aid.

“That’s a great achievement for any young mum but for her, in that situation to get there – we celebrate that kind of commitment, energy, and drive,” he said.

“It shows what we know from experience, that housing is not only a human right and need but a foundation in achieving a better life.”

* If you need help, reach out via baptistcare.org.au