Roadshow to help Noosa residents impacted by housing crisis

When their rent went up by $150 overnight, Helen and her partner couldn’t afford the increase, were evicted and found themselves at risk of homelessness. 

Haig from Youturn takes delivery of meals from Good Shepherd Lutheran College students for the Emergency relief program, which has seen significant demand as residents contend with rising housing costs.

The couple is among a growing number of local residents turning to organisations such as Youturn Youth Support for help to navigate the housing crisis.

“Helen and her partner never expected to be looking down the barrel of homelessness – they both have work and despite submitting more than 15 rental applications, were struggling to secure a lease,” Youturn’s General Manager Corporate Strategy and Engagement, Dr Tanya Bell, said.

Tuesday’s Housing & Homelessness Roadshow at Tait-Duke Community Cottage will put Noosa residents impacted by the housing crisis in touch with agencies that can help. 

Noosa Mayor Clare Stewart urged anyone needing help to find accommodation to attend the event, held in conjunction with National Homelessness Week 2021. 

“Council is working with Sunshine Coast Housing and Homelessness Network, Youturn and a host of agencies to bring this event to Noosa where we know the housing crisis is impacting many of our residents,” Cr Stewart said. 

The roadshow aims to raise community awareness about homelessness and to link people in need with the different services available, all on-site at the Tewantin event. 

Coast2Bay Housing Group, St Vincent de Paul Noosa, IFYS, Youturn, QSTARS (a free independent advice and referral service for all Queensland renters) Services Australia (Centrelink) and Rent Connect are among the organisations represented. 

Dr Bell said homelessness was reaching a fever pitch, with many people who’d never before been homeless suddenly left with nowhere to go. 

“Homelessness has become everybody’s business and at Youturn we have a vision to tackle youth homelessness on the Sunshine Coast by providing more access to stable housing for young people and raise funds to invest and build tiny homes. We hope that this roadshow will help raise awareness as well as help as many people as possible by bringing all of these organisations together in one place.”

Council’s Community Development Officer, Kylie Finigan, said residents could also enjoy a free breakfast, get a free haircut, collect clothes and toiletries from the Vinnies pop-up shop, view a tiny home on display and participate in the “hidden voices of our town” community art project.

“We’re holding the roadshow in conjunction with our usual Social Services Hub at Tait-Duke Community Cottage, with more give-aways and engagement activities.” 

Youturn and other local agencies will be working with the Australian Bureau of Statistics during the upcoming Census Week to ensure residents sleeping rough in Noosa are counted. 

“Every stat tells a story and every person deserves a roof over their head. We need to make sure everyone is counted so the data is accurate and can help our efforts to secure more housing support from state and federal governments,” Dr Bell said. 

“People sleeping rough too often fall through the cracks. Last census recorded just three Noosa residents with nowhere to call home. But we know the figures were much higher.” 

Noosa’s Housing & Homelessness Roadshow will be held on Tuesday, August 3, from 9.30am to 12.30pm at Tait-Duke Community Cottage, 14 Earl Street Tewantin.