Episode Three – Two Older Men's Experience in the Bega Valley

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