How tight rental market, migration leaves Toowoomba locals on street

Data released from the RAI and Commonwealth Bank reveals regional migration rates are at its highest since 2018.

Regional communities like Toowoomba are facing a major housing crisis with more than 13,700 Queenslanders facing homelessness.

Regional communities like Toowoomba are facing a major housing crisis with more than 13,700 Queenslanders facing homelessness.

Almost 600 Toowoomba residents are struggling to find affordable accommodation and rental properties due to regional migration, rising rental costs and the competitive market.

Now with National Homelessness Week commencing on Sunday, Vinnies Toowoomba is putting out an urgent plea to help regional areas facing some of the worst impacts of homelessness.

Vinnies Toowoomba diocesan president Margaret Lawton said the organisation had started to see people come forward to request assistance from Vinnies for the first time.

“We have conferences all over the diocese concerned that affordable housing is almost non-existent, even in places where there were empty houses not so long ago,” Ms Lawton said.

“We would love to be able to offer secure housing to all who are experiencing homelessness however, given the shortage of affordable housing, we don’t see a quick solution.

“Houses take time to build, land is difficult to acquire, and assistance is required to provide the volume of housing that is needed.”

During the previous financial year, more than 300 Toowoomba locals were assisted by Vinnies in providing accommodation support and almost $50,000 in emergency accommodation.

Data released from the Regional Australia Institute and Commonwealth Bank reveals regional migration rates are at its highest since 2018.

The figures show 80% of Queenslanders have been impacted by low rental vacancy rates with 0.7% listed for Toowoomba for the December 2020 quarter.

Vinnies Queensland chief executive officer Kevin Mercer said he hoped the week-long campaign would shine a light on the desperate requirement of social housing in regional and rural Queensland.

“It’s estimated more than 65,000 social housing properties will be needed in regional and rural areas over the next 15 years across Queensland to meet the needs of our most vulnerable community members who simply cannot afford to put a roof over their head,” Mr Mercer said.

“This figure includes building housing for the more than 13,700 people currently without a place to call home, in addition to those who are expected to face homelessness or be locked out of the rental market in the coming years due to ongoing economic hardship and rising housing prices.

“The competitive rental market across Queensland has put significant strain on those in a position to rent with the market more competitive than ever — there simply aren’t enough affordable houses for people to call home.”

National Homelessness Week runs from August 1 to 7.

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