Homelessness in the Bundaberg region increasing

The Bundaberg region is booming as the simple life becomes a luxury. But what does it mean for those who are left in the wake? As the number of homeless locals grows in the region, journalist Crystal Jones investigates.

Sharlene Bown is one of an ever-growing number of Bundaberg locals who has become homeless in the past few years.

Every other day, people from other areas discuss moving to the region.

They love the lifestyle, they’re ready for an affordable seachange.

Some are simply moving back to homes they own, former investment properties that they have decided to call home as they bunker down in the pandemic.

The same pandemic that has brought people to Bundaberg in droves is also causing a resources shortage, meaning builders can’t keep up with demand and sending material prices skyward.

It’s easy to see why the “southern migration” has been such a hit.

Homes in Bundaberg can still be found for around $250,000, while a similar house in Melbourne could set you back almost $2 million - who wouldn’t sell up and move here with that much money left in their pocket?

At the same time, nearly 60 listings for Bundaberg can be found on holiday rental website airbnb.

Everything from four-bedroom houses to spare rooms are now being let as holiday stays on Airbnb for anything from $165 to $271 a night - just $18 short of a night at the Brisbane Hilton for the same evening.

The country has clued in to the splendours of regional life - from wide open beaches to clear skies and large home blocks, right as Bundaberg stakeholders have found a lucrative market in the region’s newfound popularity.

But, as the simple life becomes a luxury item, Bundaberg’s everyday people are falling between the pillars of growth and an unprecedented population boom.

‘Madness’: Four years with nowhere to call home

Sharlene Bown has found herself paying more than the cost of regular rent just to have some form of a roof over her family’s heads.

It's now been four years.

“We are in a van. It's hard being here. I have two grandkids that stay every second weekend and there only two rooms - my room and my son’s room,” she said.

“Well we have been applying for private housing, but either get no response or our income is too low. Many landlords are taking applicants who want to pay extra rent to get a property which is downright unfair.”

Ms Bown said she had applied for government housing, but technical issues had meant their applications had gone astray on more than one occasion.

“So yes, it's so, so tough,” she said.

“I've lived in Bundaberg since 2011 and have had two rentals, both were sold, causing us to seek different accommodation.”

Ms Bown said anyone thinking of coming to Bundaberg should think twice because of the dire lack of housing.

“Where we are staying we have to pay $510 for two weeks, it‘s dearer than a house, it’s insane we also pay $170 for our storage every month,” she said.

“It's not cheap, we struggle to find money for food.

“I've never been in this situation before.”

Ms Bown has a disability because of issues with her spine and her son is her carer.

“Just don't move to Bundaberg, it’s harsh trying to find a rental,” she said.

“And to the government, stop building things we don't need, help regional housing build more accommodation for the homeless.”

If you can help, call Ms Bown on 0487 206 395.

Australians are flocking to Bundaberg, complicating an already low rental vacancy rate.

Family braces for the very real threat of homelessness

Emily Morriss and Jason Thomson are gathering their necessities like ID papers and clothes.

It’ll be all they keep on hand if the worst happens.

They have just one week to find a new home after having to leave their current rental due to it being renovated.

The pair, with their children and dogs, have already been given a two-week extension.

But with a rental vacancy rate that doesn’t move much from one per cent or less, there’s been little hope for them when it comes to housing.

Ms Morriss has epilepsy, a factor which makes the struggle to find a home all the more challenging.

Her oldest son has gone to stay with his grandmother. It’s hard on the family, but he needs the stability for his studies.

“(My youngest son) is missing his big brother, he can’t understand,” Ms Morris said.

There’s an option of squeezing in with her sister in Ayr, but the heat, which Ms Morris says is already bad enough in Bundaberg, will affect her epilepsy even worse.

Not being able to drive, she’d be reliant on others to drive their pets and belongings.

Every option, Ms Morriss says, is fraught with difficulty.

Another consideration is a caravan in Biggenden, but they’d need to secure a roadworthy on the caravan and somehow transport it there.

“It doesn’t matter what road you take, it’s a hill to climb,” she said.

Ms Morriss said homelessness levels in Bundaberg were now like something you’d see in a major city.

Ms Morriss believes the public housing system needs to return to having the option to buying their Housing Commission home in order to give people a shot at better stability.

If you can offer any help to Ms Morriss and her family, email [e-mail]

Originally published as Homelessness in the Bundaberg region increasing