Youth in need

It shouldn’t be that hard to make sure everyone has a home – so what do we do?

Acess to safe, secure and affordable housing should be an easy thing to achieve – but for a lot of young people, it is next to impossible to find. Experts have told the Townsville Bulletin that much needs to be done to ensure young people in the city have somewhere to live, but they need help to make that happen.

The stories and struggles of these people are read – with one young person waiting 700-plus days for somewhere to live and others sharing with up to 20 people in one home.

It is insane and something needs to be done.

No one is a stranger to the housing crisis with rents skyrocketing across the country, interest rate rises, housing stock availability falling.

It’s hard for everyone.

While there may have been movement in this sphere, like the state government’s cap on rent increases, it’s probably too little, too late.

“We’ve got young people in our accommodation that can’t exit because they can’t afford a rental property and they won’t get looked at,” Sharehouse manager Lisa

Pyne told the Bulletin.

“We have about 55 young people that are engaged with us at the moment through our mobile support service that are still trying to find accommodation. There’s nothing out there.”

Not every young person is able to live at home with their parents. There needs to be options available for all types of people.

People should not be priced out of the rental market and they certainly shouldn’t be denied safe and secure housing just because of their financial status.

Perhaps it is time for a total rethink of Australia’s rental market?

Is there a more fair and equitable way it can be done?

It shouldn’t be this hard to make sure the people in your country who need housing have it.

Sharehouse Youth Programs is hosting a youth week BBQ on Friday at Jezzine Barracks’ Norman Park from 10am. Head down to the fundraiser to help their cause.