EDITORIAL:
The Central Coast, often overlooked in broader state and federal policies, is facing a growing homelessness crisis that demands immediate and serious attention.
Recent reports and research published by CCN highlight the alarming difficulties locals are experiencing in securing affordable housing.
As the cost of living continues to soar, more residents are turning to food banks and recycled clothing stores and even living in their cars to survive.
This week we saw Federal Minister Bill Shorten announce some support to assist locals navigate government services.
Despite such efforts from state and federal governments to alleviate this crisis, significant new solutions on the ground are conspicuously absent.
Yet, the long-term lack of effective intervention has placed an enormous burden on local organisations to bridge the gap.
For instance, Coast Shelter, one of the region’s largest charities, is struggling under increasing pressure to provide safe homes, food and clothing to an ever-growing number of locals each week.
Their annual Sleepout fundraiser is approaching, and it is imperative that the community rallies behind this cause.
However, fundraising alone is not enough.
We need a comprehensive, multifaceted approach to truly address the root causes and provide sustainable solutions.
What is obviously required is a local summit to bring together stakeholders from all sectors; government, developers, not-for-profits, businesses and the community, to devise local actionable strategies.
The increasing homelessness figures, which rose by 8.6 per cent from 2022 to 2023, place the Central Coast among the top 10 homelessness hotspots in the state.
Local organisations such as Coast Shelter and Pacific Link Housing are making commendable efforts to manage and supply affordable housing, but they face the challenges of a ballooning crisis.
These include skyrocketing construction costs, limited access to suitable land and complex local planning issues.
Additionally, there is a critical need for increased funding for specialist homelessness services and the construction of more social and affordable housing to reduce the thousands-strong, decade-long waitlist for social housing.
Our governments must prioritise these issues, providing the necessary policies and resources to ensure that the Central Coast does not continue to be left behind.
We acknowledge homelessness is not just a local issue but a state and national crisis.
However, only through empowered on the ground initiatives and sustained commitments can we hope to provide every Central Coast resident with the dignity of a safe and secure home.
David Abrahams – Managing Editor