Port Stephens residents are invited to take part in a rally this weekend, to turn the former Tomaree Lodge into temporary housing for the homeless.
In response to rapidly rising homelessness rates, participants are calling on the Department of Communities and Justice to consider using the Lodge, as well as the former Stockton Centre, as a temporary solution to the problem.
The number of homeless residents in the LGA has tripled since 2020, and Port Stephens Family Neighborhood Services has already assisted over 900 people experiencing homelessness this year.
United Services Union Organiser and Anna Bay resident Melissa Pond, said it's disheartening to see long-term residents of Port Stephens suffer.
"We know there's people who are families, there's elderly, there's people who are sick, people with disabilities, and they're being forced out onto the street."
Ms Pond said dramatic spikes in rental prices were a major contributor to the problem.
"We're seeing people putting properties on the market more, and people are moving up here from Sydney now that they're able to work flexibly; they're getting out of Sydney and looking for a sea change, and that has pushed up prices for people, pricing them out of the rental market in Port Stephens."
She also expressed concern for vulnerable groups in the region.
"There's a real spike in domestic violence-related incidents and we're seeing that people are staying in those situations which is really unhealthy," she said.
We understand there are other interests for that site but I really believe that this supersedes them. There really is nowhere for people to go."
It's hoped the demonstration will ease pressure on support services which are already stretched to their limit.
The rally will be held at 10am on Saturday at the car park near Tomaree Lodge.
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| Image credit: https://trra.com.au/ |
