As Keeping News Local is looking to expand it’s services into Darwin, Northern Territory,
the founder of the company personally took to the streets to ask the locals what they would
like to read about and what they felt were some of the most pressing issues in the area.
As is common across the nation, the constant rising costs of living were by far the biggest
concern to those of which we spoke, in particular the ongoing housing crisis. Both the lack
of supply and the growing rental costs and interest rates.
Darwin and the Northern Territory has the highest proportion of homeless people than any
where else in the nation, estimated as 12 times, according to Aboriginal Housing Northern
Territory (AHNT) who also states most are indigenous, dispite Darwin being reported as
having the most affordable house prices
“While Darwin rental prices have been steadily increasing, the NT capital remains the
cheapest place to buy in the country.” ABC News Tuesday 28th May 2024
Missionaustralia estimates approximately 3000 homeless reach out for help across the
nation in addition to the many barely able to pay their rent, pay off their mortgage or who
simply can’t afford to even get into their own home.
In regards to the problem and the Governments proposed actions to resolve the crisis The
National Housing Supply and Affordability Council reported it’s findings to Housing
Minister Julie Collins, suggesting various reforms and that housing affordability had
worsened in 2023 and only 13 per cent of the homes sold in 2022-23 were affordable for
the median income households and housing had not kept pace with demand.
Council chair Susan Lloyd-Hurwitz has been quoted as saying the “insufficient supply” has
been made worse due to migration, rising interest rates, and various other contributing
factors.
“These all combine to create an environment in which prices and rents are growing faster
than wages, rental vacancies are near all-time lows, 169,000 households are on public
housing waiting lists, 122,000 people are experiencing homelessness and projected
housing supply is very low,” Council chair Susan Lloyd-Hurwitz
Micheal Page, who identified himself as a leader of the indigenous community from Pine
Creek N.T. when asked if he had a message for the Government and opposition parties
concerning this issue replied, “stop having your debates and get on with your job”.