By Jed Lanyon
A Warburton social worker holds fears about the future of housing in the township after seeing more local families struggling to make ends meet and in some cases sleeping rough.
Redwood Community Centre Manager Kate Barratt said she has seen more and more families pushed out of their rentals as landlords look to sell their properties in a favourable market or turn to AirBnB.
“We’re a referral support centre and we are getting phone calls, usually to do with material aid, food and referrals to council. But recently it is just so much to do with housing and the fact that people can’t find a rental.
“People are given their notice period and they are actively searching for rentals but there are none around here… If you look at Realestate.com.au there’s virtually nothing.”
A search on property website on 28 June nets just two rental opportunities in Warburton at $430 and $360, well above the $250 mark that Ms Barratt believes is realistic for the single parents coming into the community centre.
A similar search on AirBnb for two adults to spend one night in Warburton nets about 18 results across the town.
Ms Barratt said that families are being forced to pull their children out of their schools as they move away from the area.
“It’s at a crisis point and it seems to have come when the new tenancy act came in. It’s not attractive to be a landlord anymore. It’s great that tenants have rights, but a landlord is going, why would I rent my property out when I can get more having it as a holiday house?”
The new tenancy act coincided with the ending of protections for renters throughout the Covid-19 pandemic last year where landlords could not increase rent or evict tenants.
“We’re just seeing more and more homelessness. And it’s actually homelessness, not just people moving out of the area.
“We try to support people as best we can, but ideally, they need a roof over their head.”
Some of that support by the community centre includes helping those in need to apply for rental applications.
“I took someone to a rental, she didn’t have a car so I took her out there, and there were over 30 people there just to see the place. You’re in competition all the time. Also now because of restrictions, you have to book and you’re only allowed to book about 20 and so inspections are being booked out really, really quickly.
“It’s a real struggle for people who have no mobile phone to be searching, applying and booking… If people are up against it with learning difficulties as well, it’s just impossible.
“People are having to lower their expectations. They’re used to having a three bedroom home, well you may not be able to find a three bedroom home. You’re used to having a yard, you may not be able to have a yard.”
For more information about ADRA and the Redwood Community Centre, visit: adra.org.au or phone 1800 242 372 to learn more about how the organisation can assist or make referrals to other services.
