Election 2022: Thousands of women wait for crisis accommodation as housing crisis worsens

After two years living rough, Shoalhaven resident Melonie Packer has had enough. Her stern message to the government is a shot across the bow for Canberra as Labor unveils its bold new plan.

Shoalhaven resident Melonie Packer spent two years sleeping rough, often choosing to sleep in the carparks of McDonald’s or Bunnings stores as she felt the lighting afforded her some protection.

The 52-year-old has resided at the Shoalhaven Homeless Hub in Nowra since 2020, joining dozens of other women at the last resort shelter for women and children fleeing domestic violence and homelessness.

Ms Packer said she felt abandoned by politicians in Canberra.

“I wish the government would do more,” she said.

“I’ve been homeless for four years, and I’m losing my health because of it.

“The situation is out of control.”

It’s women like these that Labor wants to help after unveiling on Friday an ambitious $1.5 million investment in crisis accommodation in the region, alongside plans to build 30,000 new affordable houses, 4000 of which will be for crisis accommodation.

The party’s candidate for Gilmore, Fiona Phillips, said the plan is the “biggest boost” in affordable housing in decades, and sought to address a growing crisis exacerbated by floods, bushfires, and Covid.

“We know how incredibly tough people have been doing it,” she said.

“We’ve got so many people that are homeless, it’s near-on impossible to keep up.

“The government just hasn’t done anything about investing in social and affordable housing, so everyone is bearing the brunt.”

Shoalhaven Homeless Hub CEO Kathy Colyer said that as Covid-related social payments declined in the last year, rates of domestic violence spiked, with more women seeking help.

“Women weren’t contacting anyone because they were stuck at home with the perpetrator,” she said.

While she welcomed the investment, Ms Colyer said there was little in the way of short term solutions to address the nearly 10,000 women and children already being turned away due to a lack of beds.

“I don’t really know what the answer is other than more accommodation is required,” she said.

The crisis, which has become widespread across the South Coast, is the result of 10 years of neglect under the Liberal Government, Shadow assistant minister for communities Jenny McAllister said, and had reached “epidemic” levels.

“The government has just vacated the field,” she said.

“There has been a total absence of national leadership, and at every point, the housing market is constrained. It’s very difficult for people.”

Under the plan, Labor would also provide funding for an additional 13 support workers in the region.

Ms McAllister said those workers would be able to help as many as 1000 women and children a year.

“For services like the Shoalhaven hub, that will make a significant difference,” she said.

“They have significant waitlists for women to even be admitted into the service, let alone find permanent and stable housing.”

Labor candidate for Gilmore, Fiona Phillips, left, with Shoalhaven Homeless Hub CEO Kathy Colyer, and shadow assistant minister for communities, Jenny McAllister. Picture: Nathan Schmidt

Ms McAllister said education around domestic violence and the safety of women had been a low priority for the Morrison Government over the past three years.

Asked whether she thought women’s safety in society had declined in the past decade of national Liberal Governments, Ms McAllister said progress had stalled.

“We had an opportunity to do something, and that opportunity has been missed,” she said.

The plans form part of Labor’s $100 million national strategy for affordable housing.

For Ms Packer, the future still remains in doubt.

“When I became homeless, I had everything taken from me,” she said.

“We need more funding. Everything boils down to funding.”