There Are Calls for Vacant Student Accommodation to Be Used as Social Housing in NSW

Australia is still without thousands of international students.

There are growing calls in New South Wales for student accommodation to be used as social housing for people experiencing homelessness.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, heaps of rooms that are normally used by international students or students coming in from other states are being left empty.

The pandemic has also likely had an impact on the rate of homelessness in Australia, with so many people losing their jobs or regular income. However, we won’t know the full impact from COVID-19 until the results of the 2021 Census are announced.

On top of student accommodation are hotels, motels, boarding houses, backpacker accommodation, and secondary high school rooms that are likely empty and could be made available to those in need.

According to a report by Habitat for Humanity Australia this year, the casualisation of the Aussie workforce, rates of youth unemployment, underemployment and inadequate rates of income support mean that young people are at a significantly high risk of homelessness.

(Marcus Loke via Unsplash)

The Sydney Morning Herald reported that there are more than 50,000 people currently waiting for social housing in NSW, and it can often take up to a decade before they find a place to live.

Both the Canterbury-Bankstown Council and Inner West Council have made submissions to the NSW parliamentary social housing inquiry about how they could temporarily open up empty student rooms to people who people without a place to stay.

The NSW government also noted that "there are particular issues of affordability in regional NSW, exacerbated by the COVID-related move of people out of Sydney into regions."

With pilot programs to bring international students back to Australia not really going ahead, student accommodation could remain vacant for a little while longer, so it may soon become an option for people without a roof over their heads.

If you or someone you know is experiencing homelessness you can head to the Homelessness Australia website to access guides, factsheets, and other resources for support.

Are you experiencing suicidal thoughts, sexual assault or domestic and family violence? Seeking to support someone who is? Call Lifeline on 131 114 or Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800.

Visit ReachOut to get support to help you with everything from everyday issues through to tough times.

Header Image: CHUTTERSNAP via Unsplash