Homelessness and the risk of homelessness is on the rise in Deniliquin and district as housing availability and the cost of living pressures continue to tighten.
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Desperate local families are taking to social media in greater number to appeal for rentals, as unfruitful searches leave them on the brink of having nowhere to live.
The need for help has risen to a level St Vincent de Paul Conference treasurer Daphne Greaves said is the worst she had seen in almost 40 years of providing assistance through the organisation.
And while the NSW Government did announce it would attempt to fast track the building of 30,000 new homes in this week’s budget by leveraging surplus government land and public housing construction, announcements surrounding the proposal relate mostly to taking the pressure off built up areas like Sydney.
Other housing announcements in this week’s budget include $5.1 billion to deliver 8400 public homes, with at least half of the homes built for victim-survivors of family and domestic violence, and $650.1 million to build essential worker housing.
But like with the promise of the 30,000 new homes, locations for these investments have not been specified.
Frustrated at the lack of housing investment and focus in regional areas like Deniliquin and district to date, Deniliquin Ray White Real Estate agent Sam Hall has issued a challenge to both the NSW and federal governments to do more.
“What always annoys me is that schemes implemented by governments often tend to focus on Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong.
“What the government should be doing, and I challenge Federal Member for Farrer Sussan Ley and New South Wales Member for Murray Helen Dalton on this, is putting together a serious regional relocation incentive, let's say for populations under 10,000 people or thereabouts.
“We have a lot of affordable, privately owned land. We need a scheme that will attract people out of the concrete jungles to places like Deniliquin.
“We offer more affordable housing, clean air and what I would say are very good services for families and individuals for a town and region the size of Edward River Council.
“Yes we can always do with improvements in things like health, and more investment in industry in our region, but for a town this size we do have adequate facilities.
“The flow-on that comes with that attraction of new residents is that we have a stronger economy, a more diverse population and more diverse skill set.
“The feedback I get from local businesses is that there is plenty of work around for people who are willing to get their hands dirty.
“This region is in a strong economic position with rainfall and activity on farms.
“The government has to seriously look at strong and not tokenistic incentives, and ones which reach beyond the regional centres of Albury and Wagga.”
Rental availability in the local area has been quite low for quite a number of years.
Mr Hall confirmed demand is still high, and at the same time rental prices are quite strong.
Mrs Greaves said the consequence of that is that some people are simply priced out.
She said even if they can secure a rental, the price is often so high they can no longer afford essentials.
“Homelessness is increasing and it is the worst I have seen in my 38 years (volunteering in the assistance space),” Mrs Greaves said.
“It is not a pretty sight.
“We’ve had quite a few more people coming to us for assistance, and many of them families with young children.
“When there is talk about building new homes, it’s usually in places like Wagga. Although I know this problem is not just happening in our area.”
As winter starts to set in, Mrs Greaves encourages those who can to consider donating to St Vincent de Paul, the Denilqiuin Salvation Army or other assistance charities which service the local area.
“We are coming into horrible weather, so we will need more warm clothing and warm bedding and blankets,” Mrs Greaves said.
“The Salvation Army’s food panrty has been helping a lot of people and that is ongoing, but we (at St Vinnes) will also accept the donation of non-perishable food items.”
The Salvos Store in Cressy St, Deniliquin and the St Vincent de Paul store in Napier St, Deniliquin both accept donations of cash and household items and clothing in good condition.
Other charitable organisations operating in Deniliquin include the Deniliquin Community Hub in Hardinge St or the St Paul’s Anglican Op Shop in Harrison St.
The Community Food Pantry run by the Salvos with support from the Rotary Club of Deniliquin opens at the Salvos’ church hall in Edwardes St, Deniliquin from 2pm to 3pm Wednesdays and 10am to noon on Thursdays.
Donated items are available at a lower cost than what would be found at the supermarket. All money made through sales is spent to help restocking the pantry.
Senior journalist