With Queenslanders continuing to face record lows of housing affordability and availability , Vinnies Queensland has joined with other state-based housing, homelessness and social services providers to call for immediate action.

The “Town of Nowhere” campaign, led by the Queensland Council of Social Services (QCOSS), calls upon state, federal and local leaders to work together to address the ongoing housing crisis across Queensland and the rest of Australia.

While last year’s Town of Nowhere campaign focused on the State Budget, this year’s return of the campaign is urging all levels of government to work together for a solution in the lead up to the Federal Election on 21 May.

“Right now, we have more than 50,000 Queenslanders on the social housing waiting list, more than 600,000 living in poverty and struggling with rising rent prices and another 21,000+ living on the street,” CEO Kevin Mercer said.

“It’s not acceptable. We need action, and we need action now.

“This is a national crisis, and we need a national strategy that involves all levels of Government.”

At the launch, Mr Mercer shared the story of a Sunshine Coast family who were evicted from their home after rent increased by more than $200 a week and they could no longer afford the home they had lived in for seven years.

“People are being displaced from their communities and can no longer afford to live in the places they have been living for years,” Mr Mercer said.

“At the moment, we are failing our communities.

“We need a long-term commitment to building social housing – a minimum of 25,000 new homes a year across Australia and 5,000 in Queensland.

“We also need to fill the gap caused by rising rent prices through keeping the National Rental Affordability Scheme and increasing the Commonwealth Rental Assistance rate.”

QCOSS CEO Aimee McVeigh said the housing crisis had seriously impacted Queensland families.

“Children are going to school from cars, tents and motel rooms and women and children are returning to domestic violence situations because there is nowhere else to go,” she said.

“Everyone deserves a home and we are calling on all parties contesting next month’s federal election to ensure this is the case.”

For more information about the Town of Nowhere campaign, visit townofnowhere.com/