Leading community services group Mission Australia says concerns about homelessness and housing affordability are not confined to cities, but are urgent issues also in booming rural and regional areas such as the Iron Triangle.

Mission Australia’s State Director Mark Herselman said localised and innovative housing options were needed in the region to ensure that average and at-risk families were not priced out of their homes by the impact of the mining boom.

Speaking during his visit to Whyalla to mark Mission Australia’s 10th anniversary of service in the region, Mr Herselman said the continued drought was also adding to the pressure on many families who depended on the agricultural sector.

“While recent figures show the housing boom has slowed in many of South Australia’s regional areas, the Iron Triangle towns including Whyalla are looking at median housing price growth of more than 20 per cent over the past 12 months,” Mr Herselman said.

“Many people will benefit from the resources boom, but it’s important that we remember not everyone is doing well at the moment, particularly those impacted by the drought,” he said. “Many people have additional personal hardships too, such as family breakup or mental health issues, which risk them slipping through the cracks in the best of times.”

Mission Australia is celebrating its 10th year of operations in Whyalla, with an anniversary breakfast on Friday (November 2) at the Bunyarra Christian Centre, a party for young people at Whyalla Youth Central on Saturday night, and a special Church service at the Whyalla Baptist Church on Sunday at 9:00 am. Whyalla Pastor Steve Wood and Mission Australia State Chaplain Nicholas Rundle will lead the service.

Mission Australia opened its office in Whyalla in 1997 with just one staff member and one service, the JPET (Job Placement and Education Training) program for students and young unemployed people who are homeless or at risk.

It now employs 15 staff in two locations and has attracted national and State funding for a range of community service and employment programs that seek to help disadvantaged young people, support families, schools and the community, provide training for businesses and address critical skills shortages in the region.

Mr Herselman said some locals – young people, families and older individuals or couples – risked being priced out of the housing market if demand grew much more. Like other areas, the region was likely to attract more people coming in the hope of work, with few resources, no local knowledge, no transport and no accommodation.

“That can make it harder for them to get and keep a job, so they risk being caught in a spiral of unemployment and homelessness,” he said.

“We’re urging Federal and State Governments, industry and the community sector get together to look at improving resources available in regional areas like Whyalla, from affordable housing for locals and seasonal populations to better transport, recreation, health and training options,” Mr Herselman said.

CONTACT: Mark Herselman, Mission Australia: 0403 183 002

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Chris Rann, Rann Communication: 08 8211 7771