The number of people living in tents in Wagga continues to grow, but they received some assurances this week. Photos: Supplied.
Some Wagga homeless residents can expect to stay in a hotel room “for years” at the cost of millions to taxpayers until they are placed in permanent housing, a council meeting was told last night.
In recent weeks, Wagga City Council has issued ‘’move on’’ notices to rough sleepers camping in Wilks Park and along the Murrumbidgee River, threatening them with $1000 fines if they don’t comply.
Councillor Richard Foley believes this approach lacks compassion, given the only alternative for most is a temporary stay in a hotel room rather than permanent housing. He put forward a motion for evictions to be halted until after 30 September, to ensure no-one is left out in the cold.
However, he withdrew that motion at Monday’s meeting after a government taskforce provided assurances that people placed in hotels would be able to stay for as long as it took to find them permanent housing — provided they abided by all relevant rules.
It was previously believed that the ‘’temporary accommodation’’ hotel option organised through Homes NSW was only available for 72 hours.
“We’ve got abundant hotel rooms, apparently. This is going to come at significant expense to the taxpayer … public housing is not going to be ready for a while,” Cr Foley told the meeting.
“We could be looking at a matter of years that people could be in these hotel rooms at the cost of millions of dollars.”
The expected wait time for a placement in social housing in Wagga is currently between five and 10 years, according to a NSW Government website. The town’s biggest public housing project — Tolland Estate — won’t be completed until 2030.
Housing advocate Vickie Burkinshaw said the ”hotel solution” left the community with more questions than answers.
“Is the accommodation genuinely available until permanent housing is secured, or does it remain subject to the discretion of the hotel or temporary accommodation provider and their own policies?” she asked.
“How can we reasonably expect people to give up what they currently consider their homes, and leave behind their possessions, without a clear understanding of the conditions attached to the accommodation being offered?”
Cr Jenny McKinnon also questioned what would happen when the city’s hotels were full with outside visitors — such as for the upcoming NRLW Magic Round, which Wagga will host.
The Wagga Council meeting also heard from Wagga Ratepayers president Chris Roche and former ABC journalist Moyra Shields, who have been assisting the homeless.
Former ABC journalist Moyra Shields joined a homeless woman outside the office of MP Dr Joe McGirr last month to protest against the imminent removal of campers at Wilks Park.
Both said the threat of evictions had caused fear and that the council and NSW Government should work together to establish a safe camp at Wiradjuri Reserve, giving people access to toilets, showers, heating, security and wraparound services.
This option is not being taken up by the government.
Mr Roche also questioned the hotel solution, noting a homeless person was rejected from an accommodation provider last month.
Some Wagga councillors complained that they didn’t know what the so-called taskforce was doing and wanted to be informed. Ms Burkinshaw also called for better communication.
“The lack of transparency surrounding the taskforce only reinforces the perception of a culture of silence,” she said.
”Without openness, it is difficult to have confidence that there is genuine intent to address these issues.
”More importantly, there can be no accountability for the taskforce as a whole, or for each organisation represented on it, for ensuring the safety, wellbeing and dignity of people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness in our community.”
Original Article published by Oliver Jacques on Region Riverina.
