By Emily-Rose Toohey
The current housing crisis impacting individuals’ and families’ abilities to find a roof over their heads has become more visible in the winter months, as the Southern Downs finds itself enduring chilly temperatures.
The Salvation Army is a charitable organisation that offers support to those doing it tough, and the organisation’s Simon Gregory said the housing crisis is one of the biggest issues they (and the wider community) have faced over the last few decades.
“I don’t think we’ve seen the worst of it yet,” Simon said.
“There’s not enough affordable housing for people and as a result, we are seeing a growth in homelessness and people having to sleep rough and sleeping in cars, garages, and on friend’s couches.”
Furthermore, he said that The Salvation Army can play a part in helping mitigate the issue.
“We do have homelessness services where we can provide opportunities for people to get housing, but even our ability to get housing stock at the moment is very low,” Simon said.
Simon said that as part of The Salvation Army’s services, it runs emergency relief funding and provides support for people doing it tough.
“This may include food, clothing, paying for electricity bills, paying for fuel, and also supporting people who’ve been affected by the floods and the drought,” he said.
However, on the Southern Downs, Captain Leanne Hardaker said they do not directly deal with housing but have a housing referral service in Toowoomba instead.
“The Salvation Army on a broader level is looking at that now,” she said.
Services on the ground in Warwick include St Vincent DE Paul’s Cornerstone Accommodation and Support Program, which provides transitional accommodation for single males over 18 years.
However, St Vincent DE Paul did not respond to a request for comment on the current housing issue.
While the Granite Belt Neighbourhood Centre in Stanthorpe does not provide accommodation, the organisation provides temporary emergency assistance, like their Winter Food Appeal.
Granite Belt Neighbourhood Centre manager Jenny Leigh said through its Emergency Relief Program, they can provide essentials like a swag, money for petrol, and food support.
“It’s case by case,” Jenny said.
“We can also provide advice about what people seeking accommodation can do.
“The housing issue becomes hidden in summer with cars and tents, but every year when the cold winter starts it becomes more visible – it peaks and troughs.”
