DWELLING values in regional areas over the three months to January were rising faster than in capital cities, up 1.2 per cent and 1.0 per cent respectively, putting more stress on ordinary Australians to find an affordable home to live, whether renting or buying.

In CoreLogic’s Regional Market Update report released last month, their regional rental index recorded a 2.3 per cent increase over the three months to January 2024, up from a recent low of 0.4 per cent over the September quarter of 2023.

By comparison, capital city rents rose 2.1 per cent, up from 1.7 per cent over the same periods.

Among Hamilton’s four real estate agents, there were a total 13 homes listed as available to rent, all above $300 per week, except for three that were between 15-40 minutes out of town.

No long-term caravans or cabins were available to rent.

A local man, Stephen, spoke to The Spectator and said he was was staying in a motel on and off for three years and couch surfing while trying to find longer term accommodation.

He took to social media recently to ask if anyone had a room to rent in Hamilton.

Stephen said homelessness had been an issue for him for several years, however, recently the Salvation Army was able to source long term accommodation for him.

“They found me somewhere, but it took about three months,” he said.

“I’ve just been couch surfing while I wait.

“I’ve just got to fill out some paperwork.

“I’ve never been able to get a private rental because I’m on a disability support pension.”

The Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS) chief executive, Cassandra Goldie released a statement last week warning that people on low and modest incomes cannot absorb any more pressure.

“People with the least are being forced to make heartbreaking choices between eating and paying the rent to avoid becoming homeless,” she said.

ACOSS stated while many Australians were struggling with housing costs, the majority of those in housing stress are private renters

Rising rent levels have also increased the pressure on public housing and crisis accommodation services and contributed to the current rate of homelessness.

They said, at a time when more than 105,000 people were homeless, crisis accommodation services were turning away more than half of all those seeking new accommodation, mostly due to a lack of availability, and the decline of public housing stock.

Shadow housing minister, Richard Riordan, said the social housing crisis in Victoria was “simply unacceptable”.

He said the State Government must urgently act to address the ongoing social housing crisis in Victoria, as vulnerable families miss out.