So what’s the plan to help the working homeless?

Given a housing crisis was declared in April 2021, what has Council done in that time to help those who are the ‘working homeless’?

Local man, Duncan Campbell, approached The Echo to raise awareness of what he says is a targeted compliance blitz by Byron Shire Council on those forced to sleep in their vehicles.

Campbell says while he can afford to rent, there is nothing available, so he lives in his bus, while working locally in hospitality, and as a casual labourer.

Since the housing crisis declaration in 2021, there have been attempts by Council to establish crisis and transitional accommodation, yet it appears those efforts so far have produced nothing.

A mayoral minute from the June 8, 2023 Council meeting requested that NSW Homelessness Minister, Rose Jackson, assist in establishing an ‘Assertive Outreach Program for Byron Shire, which matches the resource allocation for the Tweed Assertive Outreach Program’.

Repeated attempts with both Council staff and Ms Jackson’s office to confirm whether Ms Jackson had replied have so far been unsuccessful.

The Echo is also yet to hear from Ms Jackson’s office as to whether her ministry or any department is ‘considering creating what is done in Qld, which is to establish emergency zones for those unable to find a home to be safe, with facilities?’

Secret land audit

In correspondence from Council’s general manager, Mark Arnold, to housing advocate group, One Roof Byron on September 11, 2023, Arnold says a recent audit of Council-managed land for the use of emergency housing on public land ‘has found that there is no new Council land or buildings identified for this purpose’.

Genevieve Lee from One Roof Byron told The Echo they weren’t provided with the audit. The Echo asked for the land audit, yet the request was declined by staff as it is not ‘a public list’.

Staff replied, ‘Only three of the nominated sites were accepted by the Housing Taskforce as suitable and these have been developed for that purpose’. 

‘No other sites were deemed suitable, owing to various issues including land constraints, isolated location, hazard risk, lack of direct connection to services and support.

‘Crisis and transitional supported accommodation has very specific needs. Council is respectful of this and continues to work alongside state agencies and other organisations to look for opportunities to set up this type of accommodation with the essential wrap-around services in the right locations.

‘This does not preclude any independent organisation seeking out funding, and private or Crown land, through other means for this type of accommodation’.

Staff added that, ‘All available land, public or other, that meets criteria for “future housing” is being considered under the current Residential Strategy Refresh process for future housing needs’.

While that policy takes in a 20-year vision, it doesn’t provide any immediate assistance for those who work in Byron, yet can’t find a home.

Bayshore Drive

Duncan says the area that he chooses to frequent is around Bayshore Drive, in the Byron Arts and Industry Estate. It’s an area that has access to toilets, and is close to his work, he says.

Duncan says, ‘Around 20 vehicles were parked on Bayshore Drive, with people sleeping in their vehicles legally, until Council erected “No Parking 1-6am” signs and started fining all vehicles right away. Most weren’t being a nuisance’.

‘I want to be out of the way, away from housing’, he says. ‘Those forced to live in our cars are mindful of residential areas’.

Additionally, Campbell says that caravan parks are not an option for him to stay at, ‘because pets are not welcome, and the government forces parks to limit stays to two to four weeks’.

Asked why he didn’t apply for emergency accommodation in one of the three pod villages in the Shire, Duncan said, ‘I have pets and I’m not displaced by the floods’.

‘I didn’t think it would be right to take a pod from someone who lost their home, when I had the resources to put a roof over my own head. I’m not looking for a handout, I’m looking for the persecution of the displaced to end’.

He added, ‘Council regularly publishes articles in newspapers fostering a fear and hatred towards both Vanpacker’s and homeless people sleeping in vehicles by declaring them “illegal campers”, when NSW Local Government laws have been put in place to prevent councils from persecuting people sleeping in their vehicles. Council works around these laws protecting people, by closing public roads and causing inconvenience for everyone in the community.

‘Local residents living across the street from the hotel are negatively affected by the road closure because they have to apply for permits to park their own vehicles in front of their houses. They also have to apply for permits for visitor’s vehicles every time someone wants to stay the night. Also, if someone has a drink or two too many at the hotel, they are forced to make the decision to either cop a fine for leaving their car overnight, or take a chance and risk driving home over the limit.

‘These inconveniences are entirely unnecessary, and an inconvenience for residents and a huge safety risk for the community’.

Mute mayor

Mayor Michael Lyon was asked, ‘Are there plans to establish a place for the working homeless to park their vehicles in safety without fear of being fined?’

He refused to answer the question.