Unhoused – Voices from the Threshold is a podcast that explores issues around homelessness and housing in the Bega Valley NSW.

Over 6 episodes we will be speaking with young people from 16 into their 20s, mature single women, families struggling to find affordable housing, bushfire affected households, people from our Indigenous communities, single men, elderly people and those seeking housing for outside workers.

We will find out what it’s like to sleep in your car, to cook without a kitchen, to wash your hair and clean your teeth without a bathroom, to sleep with fear of discovery, to live in extreme overcrowding, to face an unsure future, and to be ignored.

We will explore what comes after one does reach out for help, what is available, for how long, and how long the wait periods might be. How many houses are there available in the Bega Valley, are more homes being built, and by whom? Does short term rental accommodation affect the availability of long term rental accommodation? And why are rents so high?

In later episodes we explore some of the strategies and programs being put in place, find out who is building homes in the Bega Valley and how many, and what the future looks like for our community.

We also explore the attitudes and awareness that exist in the Bega Valley, and what people feel is needed to assist those working in this area and to alleviate the situation.

Note some names have been changed but the stories are all true.

This podcast has been produced by the Bega Valley Shire Library Service in collaboration with Sapphire Stories, a local story-telling platform. It has been made possible with funds achieved through the NSW Premier’s Department’s Social Cohesion Grant for Local Government, as obtained by the Bega Valley Shire Council.

If you need help or know someone who does, here are some local support organisations and links:

SEWACS (South East Women & Children Services): https://sewacs.org.au/about/

MISSION AUSTRALIA: https://www.missionaustralia.com.au/servicedirectory/211-homelessness/homelessness-housing-support-bega-valley

LINK2HOME: Link2home is a 24/7 statewide telephone service in New South Wales (NSW) that provides information, assessment, and referrals for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. The service is available on 1800 152 152 and is free to call.

SAPPHIRE NEIGHBOURHOOD SERVICES: Non-housing support for children & young people under 18 years. Parents & families. https://sapphireneighbourhoodservices.org.au/

BRIGHTER FUTURES: Brighter Futures is a support program for families with young children who are encountering challenges that can impact on the care of the children. Make contact through BVSC 6499 2222

HEADSPACE: Headspace Bega is a free, youth-friendly and confidential service for young people aged 12 – 25 years

Phone: 1800 959 844

WELLWAYS: Housing and Accommodation Support Initiative (HASI) 1300 111 400

If you have a story to share, pleases contact us by email: sapphirecoaststories@gmail.com

All contact is confidential.

Sources of information in podcast:

*https://housing.id.com.au/bega-valley/affordable-housing-need/

Australian Bureau of Statistics:

• High Numbers:

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) estimates that over 122,000 people were experiencing homelessness on Census night in 2021.

• Increasing Trend:

The rate of homelessness increased to 4...

Welcome to Unhoused, a podcast where we explore the changing face of homelessness in the Bega Valley, the levels of awareness in the community and the kinds of assistance available to those experiencing difficulties with housing. In later episodes we will also explore some of the housing strategies that are on the table and those being implemented for our community.

In Episode One we focus on Young People in the Bega Valley, aged 16 to 25.
What are some of the reasons young people are experiencing homelessness and/or housing instability? What help is available to them in our shire? What does homeless look like amongst the young?

Note some names have been changed but the stories are all true.

This podcast has been produced by the Bega Valley Shire Library Service in collaboration with Sapphire Stories, a local story-telling platform. It has been made possible with funds achieved through the NSW Premier’s Department’s Social Cohesion Grant for Local Government, as obtained by the Bega Valley Shire Council.

The Unhoused Music was created by Candy McVeity on a marimba that was hand-made using housing materials for the Bega Public School.

Our main Sandcastle Image is by Ronnie Ayliffe from her ‘Ash Alchemy’ series.

Find us on social media via the Bega Shire Library Service, Bega Valley SHire Council and Sapphire Stories on Instagram and Facebook.

If you need help or know someone who does, here are some local support organisations and links:

SEWACS (South East Women & Children Services): https://sewacs.org.au/about/

MISSION AUSTRALIA: https://www.missionaustralia.com.au/servicedirectory/211-homelessness/homelessness-housing-support-bega-valley

CAMPBELL PAGE: Youth & Family Services – 1300 139 920

LINK2HOME: Link2home is a 24/7 statewide telephone service in New South Wales (NSW) that provides information, assessment, and referrals for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. The service is available on 1800 152 152 and is free to call.

SAPPHIRE NEIGHBOURHOOD SERVICES: Non-housing support for children & young people under 18 years. Parents & families. https://sapphireneighbourhoodservices.org.au/

BRIGHTER FUTURES: Brighter Futures is a support program for families with young children who are encountering challenges that can impact on the care of the children. Make contact through BVSC 6499 2222

HEADSPACE: Headspace Bega is a free, youth-friendly and confidential service for young people aged 12 – 25 years - Phone: 1800 959 844

WELLWAYS: Housing and Accommodation Support Initiative (HASI) 1300 111 400

Follow us on social media: Bega Valley Shire Library, Bega Valley Shire Council and Sapphire Stories on Instagram and Facebook

If you have a story to share, pleases contact us by email: sapphirecoaststories@gmail.com

All contact is confidential.

Sources of information and statistics in podcast:

*https://housing.id.com.au/bega-valley/affordable-housing-need/

Australian Bureau of Statistics:

• High Numbers:

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) estimates that over 122,000 people were experiencing homelessness on Census night in 2021.

• Increasing Trend:

The rate of homelessness increased to 48 per 10,000 in 2021, from 45 in 2006

Unhoused - Voices from the Threshold listens to the voices of those living in unstable housing, those who have lost homes, and those finding it difficult to create or afford a stable home in the Bega Valley NSW.

In episode 2 we meet Jude, a conscientious objector to the commodification of housing. A life time renter, and a single mother who raised her sons working part-time and renting full-time, something she says would not be possible for her in these times.

Jude does have a home, she says, but it’s a home on wheels. She gives us some insight into this life, her reasons for choosing it, the resources available to people like her, and the reactions of other people to her choice. And we could ask ourselves: how have housing choices come to this?

Stats mentioned were taken from various sources including:
https://nomadsaroundaustralia.com/van-and-bus-life-survey-results/

This podcast has been produced by the Bega Valley Shire Library Service in collaboration with Sapphire Stories, a local story-telling platform. It has been made possible with funds achieved through the NSW Premier’s Department’s Social Cohesion Grant for Local Government, as obtained by the Bega Valley Shire Council.

If you need help or know someone who does, here are some local support organisations and links:

SEWACS (South East Women & Children Services): https://sewacs.org.au/about/

MISSION AUSTRALIA: https://www.missionaustralia.com.au/servicedirectory/211-homelessness/homelessness-housing-support-bega-valley

LINK2HOME: Link2home is a 24/7 statewide telephone service in New South Wales (NSW) that provides information, assessment, and referrals for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. The service is available on 1800 152 152 and is free to call.

SAPPHIRE NEIGHBOURHOOD SERVICES: Non-housing support for children & young people under 18 years. Parents & families. https://sapphireneighbourhoodservices.org.au/

BRIGHTER FUTURES: Brighter Futures is a support program for families with young children who are encountering challenges that can impact on the care of the children. Make contact through BVSC 6499 2222

HEADSPACE: headspace Bega is a free, youth-friendly and confidential service for young people aged 12 – 25 years
Phone: 1800 959 844

WELLWAYS: Housing and Accommodation Support Initiative (HASI) 1300 111 400

The Unhoused theme music was created by Candy McVeity on a marimba that was hand-made using housing materials for the Bega Public School.

Our main Sandcastle Image is by Cobargo artist Ronnie Ayliffe from her ‘Ash Alchemy’ series.

Unhoused - Voices from the Threshold listens to the voices of those living in unstable housing, those who have lost a home, and those finding it difficult to create or afford a stable home in the Bega Valley NSW.

The NSW social housing system is crisis, with more than 58,000 applicants on the waiting list. Another 90,000 households could be eligible but have not applied, perhaps because they realise that the prospects of being assisted are slim.

Social housing is secure and affordable rental housing for people on low incomes with unmet housing needs. It comprises homes managed by state and territory governments and by community housing providers (CHPs), including Aboriginal CHPs.

The number of applicants waiting for priority social housing, reserved for those who are homeless or at serious risk of becoming homeless, has been rising sharply in recent times. In areas including Bankstown, Campbelltown, Tamworth, Dubbo, as well as Bega, priority lists have more than doubled over the past three years. This is the result of decades of underinvestment in social housing.

You will meet two men, one in his 60s one in his 70s, each experiencing their own difficulties with housing; one has been helped by Mission Australia, and one has been helped by the people in his community.

Please note there is some mild language in this episode. Some names have been changed but the stories are all true.

This podcast has been produced by the Bega Valley Shire Library Service in collaboration with Sapphire Stories, a local story-telling platform. It has been made possible with funds achieved through the NSW Premier’s Department’s Social Cohesion Grant for Local Government, as obtained by the Bega Valley Shire Council.

If you need help or know someone who does, here are some local support organisations and links:

SEWACS (South East Women & Children Services): https://sewacs.org.au/about/

MISSION AUSTRALIA: https://www.missionaustralia.com.au/servicedirectory/211-homelessness/homelessness-housing-support-bega-valley

LINK2HOME: Link2home is a 24/7 statewide telephone service in New South Wales (NSW) that provides information, assessment, and referrals for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. The service is available on 1800 152 152 and is free to call.

SAPPHIRE NEIGHBOURHOOD SERVICES: Non-housing support for children & young people under 18 years. Parents & families. https://sapphireneighbourhoodservices.org.au/

WELLWAYS: Housing and Accommodation Support Initiative (HASI) 1300 111 400

The Unhoused theme music was created by Candy McVeity on a marimba that was hand-made using housing materials for the Bega Public School.

Our main Sandcastle Image is by Cobargo artist Ronnie Ayliffe from her ‘Ash Alchemy’ series.

Articles cited:

*https://johnmenadue.com/post/2024/06/the-2024-25-nsw-budget-whither-the-social-housing-crisis/#:~:text=The%20NSW%20social%20housing%20system,of%20being%20assisted%20are%20slim

Unhoused - Voices from the Threshold listens to the voices of those living in unstable housing, those who have lost a home, and those finding it difficult to create or afford a stable home in the Bega Valley NSW.

In Episode 4 of Unhoused we speak with people who lost their homes to bushfires in the Bega Valley, during both the Tathra & District fire, and the Black Summer fires of 2019/20, and the founder of Bushfire Survivors for Climate Action.

We speak about the various issues and difficulties they and others faced while picking up the pieces, the wins, and we also touch on the increasing numbers of those displaced by climate fuelled disasters in Australia.

The Unhoused Music was created by Candy McVeity on a marimba that was hand-made using housing materials for the Bega Public School.

Our main Sandcastle Image is by Ronnie Ayliffe from her ‘Ash Alchemy’ series.

Scroll down for links to some helpful services in the Bega Valley.

Here are links to the papers and research cited in this episode:

Original article from UNSW:

https://www.unsw.edu.au/newsroom/news/2025/06/compounding-crisis-report-shows-impact-of-disasters-on-housing-insecurity

A Spotlight video from the UNSW Built Environment “How We Survive”

https://youtu.be/L0mTSlAN11E

Visit the website for more

https://howwesurvive.com/

Census information about the figures I quote:

https://www.abs.gov.au/census/find-census-data/quickstats/2021/AUS

An article about developments in the forecasting of Australia’s disaster migration future:

https://www.uq.edu.au/news/article/2024/09/forecasting-australia%E2%80%99s-disaster-migration-future

With over 23,000 Australians displaced by disasters each year, and a shortfall of more than 640,000 affordable homes in Australia “The housing crisis is now a disaster risk in itself.” Cited article.

https://cityfutures.ada.unsw.edu.au/documents/699/CHIA-housing-need-national-snapshot-v1.0.pdf

Understanding the bushfire recovery:

https://www.naturalhazards.com.au/sites/default/files/2023-01/Understanding%20the%20Black%20Summer%20bushfires%20through%20research_final_web_NHRA.pdf

Other helpful Links in the Bega Valley:

MISSION AUSTRALIA: https://www.missionaustralia.com.au/servicedirectory/211-homelessness/homelessness-housing-support-bega-valley

LINK2HOME: Link2home is a 24/7 statewide telephone service in New South Wales (NSW) that provides information, assessment, and referrals for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. The service is available on 1800 152 152 and is free to call.

SAPPHIRE NEIGHBOURHOOD SERVICES: Non-housing support for children & young people under 18 years. Parents & families. https://sapphireneighbourhoodservices.org.au/

BRIGHTER FUTURES: Brighter Futures is a support program for families with young children who are encountering challenges that can impact on the care of the children. Make contact th...

Unhoused - Voices from the Threshold listens to the voices of those living in unstable housing, those who have lost homes, and those finding it difficult to create or afford a stable home in the Bega Valley NSW.

Welcome to Episode 5 of Unhoused, voices from the threshold… in this episode you will hear from two women who have experienced homelessness due to domestic violence, and a family who were unexpectedly asked to leave their rented home.

They all speak about some of the issues they faced, including the lack of affordable housing in our region.

We also spoke with some of the people working for support services and organisations helping the Bega Valley’s mainstream and First Nations communities.

Please note there is a small amount of language in this episode, also, we sometimes found ourselves recording in places that were safe for the participant/s, which was our priority, but didn’t always result in superior sound quality.
Also, some names have been changed, however the stories are all true.

This podcast has been produced by the Bega Valley Shire Library Service in collaboration with Sapphire Stories, a local story-telling platform. It has been made possible with funds achieved through the NSW Premier’s Department’s Social Cohesion Grant for Local Government, as obtained by the Bega Valley Shire Council.

The Unhoused theme music was created by Candy McVeity on a marimba that was hand-made using housing materials for the Bega Public School.

Our main Sandcastle Image is by Cobargo artist Ronnie Ayliffe from her ‘Ash Alchemy’ series.

If you need help or know someone who does, here are some local support organisations and links:

SEWACS (South East Women & Children Services): https://sewacs.org.au/about/

MISSION AUSTRALIA: https://www.missionaustralia.com.au/servicedirectory/211-homelessness/homelessness-housing-support-bega-valley

Katungul Women’s Healing Centre, Bega:
https://www.katungul.org.au/

Twofold Aboriginal Corporation:
https://www.twofoldjigamy.org.au/housing

SAPPHIRE NEIGHBOURHOOD SERVICES: Non-housing support for children & young people under 18 years. Parents & families. https://sapphireneighbourhoodservices.org.au/

WELLWAYS: Housing and Accommodation Support Initiative (HASI) 1300 111 400

LINK2HOME: Link2home is a 24/7 statewide telephone service in New South Wales (NSW) that provides information, assessment, and referrals for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. The service is available on 1800 152 152 and is free to call.

Welcome to the final episode of UNHOUSED - voices from the threshold.

In this episode we look back at some of the suggestions from participants, and acknowledge the work done by citizens active in our community around homelessness and housing.

We speak with local and state politicians, researchers and the Director of Community, Environment and Planning for Bega Valley Shire Council Emily Harrison, about what is on the table in the Bega Valley, and what is still to be done. Also, how we as home owners, builders and developers can think outside the box.

NB: Emily Harrison mentioned RU4 zoning: The RU4 Primary Production Small Lots zone is described by the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (the Department) as 'land which is to be used for commercial primary industry production, including emerging primary industries and agricultural uses that operate on smaller rural holdings'.

https://aboutregional.com.au/plans-for-much-needed-100-house-project-in-bega-due-for-public-display-this-year/485945/?utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=ar

https://scch.org.au/general/proposed-bega-development/

https://bend.org.au/

https://tinyhomesfoundation.org.au/gosford-project/

This podcast has been produced by the Bega Valley Shire Library Service in collaboration with Sapphire Stories, a local story-telling platform. It has been made possible with funds achieved through the NSW Premier’s Department’s Social Cohesion Grant for Local Government, as obtained by the Bega Valley Shire Council.

Theme music has been created by Candy McVeity on a Marimba made from housing materials.

Our main Sandcastle Image is by Cobargo artist Ronnie Ayliffe from her ‘Ash Alchemy’ series.

If you need help or know someone who does, here are some local support organisations and links:

SEWACS (South East Women & Children Services): https://sewacs.org.au/about/

MISSION AUSTRALIA: https://www.missionaustralia.com.au/servicedirectory/211-homelessness/homelessness-housing-support-bega-valley

Katungul Women’s Healing Centre, Bega:
https://www.katungul.org.au/

Twofold Aboriginal Corporation:
https://www.twofoldjigamy.org.au/housing

SAPPHIRE NEIGHBOURHOOD SERVICES: Non-housing support for children & young people under 18 years. Parents & families. https://sapphireneighbourhoodservices.org.au/

WELLWAYS: Housing and Accommodation Support Initiative (HASI) 1300 111 400

LINK2HOME: Link2home is a 24/7 statewide telephone service in New South Wales (NSW) that provides information, assessment, and referrals for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. The service is available on 1800 152 152 and is free to call.