From Griffith Council – Councillor Deb Longhurst

I hope that the New Year is bringing you all a fresh start and hope for a brighter future.

As I write this I am considering all the exciting projects and new developments within Griffith City Council LGA and I am keen to see them all come to fruition, but you can all see the progress and the results will be obvious over the next twelve months.

I would like to concentrate on the less obvious for this communication.

In the current climate young people face many disadvantages. As March approaches we come closer to the return to $40.00 a day subsistence for recipients of youth allowance and job seeker payments

As you are aware the rental market in Griffith and surrounds has seen a substantial increase in demand against the static supply of properties. Currently the average number of visits to rental properties from prospective tenants is 302, this means that there is fierce competition for all rental properties in the LGA.

Now consider what that means for someone who is receiving an income of $280.00 pw. Independent young people represent around 13% of our population and they are immediately priced out of the rental market. Not only are there very few 1 bedroom dwellings in Griffith but the average price of a two bedroom unit is between $290.00 and $315.00 per week.

The Griffith City Council affordable housing strategy has identified that very low income groups such as young people are at a huge disadvantage and the plans to develop Griffin Green affordable housing project is intended to alleviate some of the pressure on low income families. I hope that this will, in some way reduce the demand on rental properties and therefore the natural increase in cost, this is a likely economic progression, however it will not be a complete solution.

For young people who are unable to live at home for a variety of reasons including poverty, parental mental health or drug and alcohol issues, domestic and sexual violence, it is difficult to maintain hope for the future. Couch surfing is the preferred option for young people who are unable to access the youth emergency accommodation available. Youth refuges have a finite limit in availability and without exit points, vacancy rates are very low and there are waiting lists.

As a homeless young person forced to rely on the generosity of others but consistently relocating so as not to wear out their welcome, possessions are lost, it is more difficult to continue education, obtain income support and even seek employment. The requirement to correctly identify oneself in Australia is a huge hurdle for a young person as you need money to obtain a birth certificate and you cannot apply for income support without a birth certificate. This, coupled with the fact that you cannot obtain a birth certificate without several forms of I.D and the future becomes very bleak.

Should a young person be fortunate enough to obtain income support after overcoming these obstacles, they are then faced with the fluctuating rental market, a lack of rental history and a lack of affordable options.

It is imperative that our young people are able to pursue their goals and realise their potential, this cannot happen on $40.00 a day and I urge the Federal Government to reconsider their decision to return to this rate of payment. To achieve any reasonable standard of living and strive for the future, all social security recipients need to receive at least 80% of the basic wage to assist them to exist above the poverty line. For more information and to support the raise the rate campaign please go to www.raisetherate.org.au

Until next time, stay well and healthy,
– Cr Deb Longhurst

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• Local Council