Byron’s housing crisis hits home

HOMELESSNESS is becoming an increasingly visible reality in the Byron Shire, with 80 per cent of respondents to a recent survey reporting they have seen people sleeping rough.

More than 60 per cent of respondents also said they or someone they know had experienced homelessness, while 31 per cent said homelessness left them feeling distressed, sad, fearful or helpless.

The findings are contained in the 1000 Voices: What We Heard report, conducted by the Ending Rough Sleeping Collaboration Byron Shire, a partnership of community members, service providers, government agencies, grassroots organisations and people with lived experience.

The collaboration aims to end homelessness in the Byron Shire, beginning with rough sleeping, by 2034.

The survey findings have informed the next phase of the collaboration’s work, including the development of a shared agenda for change that outlines priorities and solutions to be tested through four action groups focused on coordinated, system-level reform.

 

The priorities include increasing the supply of safe, secure and affordable housing; strengthening person-centred and trauma-informed support services; improving community awareness and understanding; reducing stigma; and advocating for bold leadership and long-term reform across all levels of government.

Byron Shire mayor Sarah Ndiaye said homelessness was an issue people were witnessing every day.

“It’s driving an urgent call from our community for more housing, better services, greater compassion and coordinated action,” she said. “People want to be part of the solution.”

Ending Rough Sleeping Collaboration Byron Shire co-chair Dr Elizabeth Settles said homelessness was being driven by housing affordability, cost-of-living pressures and broader social issues such as domestic and family violence and mental health.

“Many recognise that homelessness is not about individual choices, it’s about systems that aren’t working for everyone,” she said. “They see people falling through the cracks and they want bold action to improve housing, services, awareness and policy reform.”