Struggling families desperately need help

Residents sleeping in cars, slumming it in parks throughout the city and trying to ward off the elements outside the Ipswich Art Gallery.
The most vulnerable residents of Ipswich are being shut out of the rental market, with the housing crisis only continuing to worsen.
Last week the Rental Affordability Snapshot Report was released, and the news remains grim regarding the rental market, with data captured across all rental properties available over the weekend of 16-17 March.
“From the 8553 rental properties available across southern Queensland, only 45 (0.5%) were affordable and appropriate for households on income support and a total of 759 (8.9%) were affordable and appropriate for those on minimum wage,” Anglicare Southern Queensland CEO Sue Cooke said.
“The Snapshot shows an increasing number of households are spending up to and over 80 per cent of their total household income on rent, meaning they are forced to make untenable choices between paying rent or putting food on the table or going to the doctor or to school – all fundamental needs.
“Unfortunately, these figures highlight the stark reality of the cost-of-living crisis on the most vulnerable in our communities. They show there is a pressing need for comprehensive policy reforms at all levels to address the widening gap in rental affordability.”
Goodna Street Life’s Helen Youngberry said the impact from rising rents was seen throughout the sector.
“The number of families living in cars with kids is unprecedented,” she said.
“People either can’t pay rent and end up on the street or all their wage goes to rent. Many of the people that we and other organisations like ours are supporting are really struggling because food and living cost is ridiculous.”
State Member for Ipswich West Darren Zanow said the report was worrying and brought forward the urgency of addressing the rising cost of living.
“Whether it’s the rising cost of living, or housing pressures, the current State Government has neglected the people of Ipswich for too long,” he said.
“Queensland families are dealing with some of the worst cost-of-living pressures in the nation, including a 20 per cent increase in electricity, a 16 per cent increase in water and an 18 per cent increase in insurance, just in the past year.
“Additionally, lot approvals are down one-third under Labor, new unit developments have slowed and there is no plan to accommodate our growing population or the infrastructure we need.
“What I keep hearing from locals is that they’re struggling to make ends meet and that’s why we will keep putting our solutions on the table.”
Both State and Federal Governments say they are addressing the issues, including the $2 billion Queensland Housing Investment Fund and the Queensland Housing and Homeless Action Plan.
Ms Cooke said: “With the Federal Budget announcement on the horizon, the time for decisive action is now. It is imperative that our national and state policies reflect the basic human right to housing, ensuring that no one is left behind.”