Angela Crawford
At 70 years of age, Joy Carroll is facing the prospect of soon being homeless.
Joy rents a house in Harcourt but the owners have decided to sell up.
She had wanted to buy the property but real estate agents quoted $200,000 above what she and the landlords considered a realistic valuation.
“I don’t blame the owners, they could get rid of two mortgages for that price,” she said.
“They’re fabulous people, I consider them friends, but it’s come in at a price that’s completely out of what I could afford.”
Joy has begun looking for another rental.
She currently pays $317 a week, but the agent said she wouldn’t find anything in the shire for less than $350-$400.
“I can’t do $400, I get $500 a week on the old age pension,” Joy said.
“Through no fault of our own, myself and others like me just want to feel secure, be part of our local community, to contribute wholeheartedly with our experiences and knowledge to those in need.
“That’s not possible if you don’t know how long you can rent there or lay down roots, it’s all we worry about actually, along with ‘will the rent skyrocket’.”
Joy’s friend Vera Hemkes believes community members are being cruelly priced out of the market.
“In my end of town, rental homes are being sold up and our most vulnerable are losing a roof over their heads, despite the fact that they loyally paid rent and lovingly looked after homes,” she said.
According to the local My Home Network, rental stress across Mount Alexander Shire has hit an all-time high.
“Nearly 90 per cent of local tenants cannot afford their rent,” spokesperson Kaz Neilson said.
“Increasingly we are hearing how renters, including elders like Joy in our community, are being forced to leave their homes – away from family, supports and community – to find affordable rentals elsewhere.
“More people are living in campgrounds or their cars simply because there are not enough affordable rental properties to meet demand.
“Employers say they cannot find workers partly due to the affordable housing shortage.”
Kaz said women over the age of 50 were more vulnerable to homelessness and housing crisis.
The My Home Network has developed an integrated housing strategy to address rental insecurity.
“We are advocating for rental caps and long-term leases and seeking funding to coordinate a Home Share model, which can be an option for those community members living on their own and at risk of housing crisis,” Kaz said.
“We are also advocating for changes in the local law regarding tiny homes on wheels so they can become a more common, longer term affordable housing option.
“And we have a working group engaging with owners of vacant dwellings to encourage their release as affordable rentals.
“We also recognise that gender inequality is a major factor in women becoming homeless or being in housing crisis so are advocating at a state and federal level for improvements in gender equality legislation and policy.”
My Home Network is a collaboration of community and government organisations formed in response to increasing concerns about the lack of affordable, safe and secure housing in Mount Alexander Shire.
