As the sun rises over Hervey Bay, Josie Street prepares her vehicle, filled to capacity with food, water, and essential supplies destined for the area’s homeless population.

Twice a week, the retiree delivers aid to over 70 individuals living without permanent shelter or access to adequate emergency accommodation.

Despite her dedication, Street notes that the need for housing far exceeds current capacity, leaving many in a state of desperation.

Hervey Bay, located three hours north of Brisbane, has witnessed a sharp increase in homelessness correlating with a staggering rental vacancy rate of just 0.9%.

This scarcity has persisted statewide, with rental vacancy rates across Queensland remaining below 1% since 2021. Individuals like Carol Webster, who has resorted to couch surfing with her disabled son due to an inability to secure housing, highlight the personal toll of this crisis.

Webster expresses feelings of hopelessness as she seeks refuge from landlords who often dismiss her due to her homeless status.

Amid rising demand for support services, the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) reported a consistent annual increase of 1.4% in the number of Australians seeking government-funded homelessness assistance.

In the 2023-2024 period, nearly 280,100 Australians received support, with Queensland accounting for 48,800 of these cases, the third highest in the country.

The chief executive of Queensland Shelter, Fiona Caniglia, emphasizes the dire need for more affordable housing, noting that only 3.5% of housing in Queensland falls under the category of social and affordable housing.

Caniglia asserts that ideally, this figure should reflect one in every seven to ten homes.

Government efforts, including a pledge to deliver one million homes by 2044—with a specified 53,500 earmarked for social and affordable housing—are projected targets.

However, recent announcements regarding annual rent reviews for social housing recipients have raised concerns about potential evictions, further complicating the issue for many vulnerable residents.

The National Housing Accord, which includes Queensland as a signatory, has set the ambitious goal of providing 1.2 million new homes by mid-2029. However, experts warn that the current pace of housing development falls short of addressing immediate needs.

Caniglia points to a pressing requirement for a diverse array of housing solutions rather than solely social options.

In urban centers such as Brisbane and the Gold Coast, local councils have adopted stricter measures against rough sleeping, threatening fines and evictions as part of a push to maintain public order.

The Fraser Coast Regional Council has defended its actions, citing public safety after incidents involving homeless individuals and their interactions with staff.

As such measures are implemented, the experience of long-term homeless individuals illustrates the mounting challenges.

Many, like Stephen Gallagher, are left unsure of where to seek shelter after being forcibly removed from their makeshift homes.

Community leaders and volunteers like Josie Street maintain their efforts to provide immediate support, yet the urgency of coordinating a systemic response to the housing crisis is evident.

In parallel, Western Australia is grappling with similar housing pressures, with state government initiatives to encourage home ownership.

The Cook government’s latest budget proposals highlight a focus on affordable housing, including low-deposit loans for modular homes and a shared equity scheme aimed at assisting lower income households.

New reports have indicated that more than half of Western Australia's households find housing to be unaffordable, reflecting a significant increase in housing cost pressures over the past two years.

While initiatives are being rolled out to alleviate these issues, the construction industry’s ability to meet the demand for new housing stock continues to pose significant challenges.

As local governments and state entities strive to balance supply and needs, the ongoing discussions surrounding the construction of low- and mid-rise housing in suburban areas reflect broader concerns about the impact of standardized designs on community character and the efficacy of proposed solutions in addressing the housing crisis.