Not a single rental property in the Illawarra is affordable for people on income support payments, according to Anglicare's Rental Affordability Snapshot.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The data confirms that cost of living pressures, and rents in particular, are pushing people on low incomes into crisis.
Based on a survey of rental properties listed over the weekend of 19-20 March, not only did Anglicare find no properties were available for those on income support, only four were affordable and appropriate for those on the minimum wage.
For women fleeing domestic violence and affected by homelessness, this situation makes finding shelter an insurmountable task, said Kathy Colyer CEO of Supported Accommodation and Homelessness Services Shoalhaven Illawarra (SAHSSI).
"Women that are on JobSeeker, it's almost impossible for them to get a private rental," she said.
SAHSSI provides crisis accommodation for women and children as well as case management and support services. The current economic climate is stretching the service, said business development manager Gillian Vickers.
"Currently in the Illawarra we've got approximately 180 clients that are on our waiting list," she said.
"That is the highest waiting list that we've seen in some time."
The combination of factors is creating a bottleneck in the organisation as women who access crisis accommodation and transitional housing are not able to re-enter the private market.
"We're having an increase in clients that are homeless or couchsurfing because they are unable to afford housing," said Ms Vickers. "We're also finding quite an increase in the waitlist in the Shoalhaven as owners are terminating leases and then putting properties back on the market at increased costs."
In light of this, Illawarra locals are invited to support SAHSSI and attend a donation based soup kitchen this Sunday at Balinese Spice Magic.
Owner Jules Mitry said that in this edition of the seasonal supper she chose to support SAHSSI because of its important work in the community.
"I'm a big believer that women and children are the most important pillars in our society," she said.
Named Mesangkepan after the Balinese tradition of coming together to discuss community issues over a meal, the soup kitchen began during lockdown to support homeless people in Wollongong.
This weekend, the pay as you like dinner will include vegan and non-vegan options with dessert and all proceeds will go to SAHSSI.
"We will use that to support clients that might need food vouchers, or homewares, white goods or emergency care packages, such as toiletries," said Ms Vickers.
The restaurant is taking bookings now, and for those who aren't able to snag a table, donations are welcomed by SAHSSI online.
The Illawarra Mercury newsroom is funded by our readers. You can subscribe to support our journalism here.