Families struggle to afford necessities, and young Australians face unprecedented challenges entering the property market. Australia’s housing crisis has reached a critical point, and as the federal election draws near, the issue is weighing heavily on voters’ minds.
The call for immediate action is growing louder, with the rising cost of homes and the scarcity of available properties causing distress across the nation. This grim reality was recently captured in a poignant photo shared widely on social media.
In 2025, the situation is worsening. Rental prices are soaring, and despite a slight increase in the national vacancy rate to 1.3 per cent in February, up from 1.0 per cent in January, the figures are still a far cry from the three per cent threshold that signals a balanced market.
A recent video from Queensland has highlighted the severity of the crisis. The footage, captured in the popular tourist destination of Surfers Paradise, shows a makeshift campsite in a most unexpected place: floating on the Nerang River.
A tent, ingeniously suspended by a rope and supported by two paddleboards, is a stark reminder of the lengths people will go to when faced with housing insecurity.
The video has elicited a wave of concern and disbelief from viewers. Comments range from shock to sadness, with one person noting, ‘This is what the housing crisis has come to.’
One commenter lamented, ‘There is no affordable housing available in this country.’
Responding to the incident, a spokesperson for the City of Gold Coast Council said its officers had referred the matter to the Department of Housing and local welfare services, which are better equipped to offer support.
The spokesperson emphasised, ‘The City does not provide any direct housing or welfare services.’
This incident is not an isolated one. Across Australia, it’s becoming increasingly common for individuals to sleep in tents, though typically not on water. The scarcity of resources has driven people to take such drastic measures.
Paul Slater, who leads the Northwest Community Group and oversees a ‘tent city’ in Musgrave Park, Brisbane, is overwhelmed by the demand for their services.
He distributed over 500 tents to Australians in need last year alone. Slater pointed to an ‘absolute failure on all levels of government’ regarding social housing over the past decades.
‘I’ve got one lady… she’s been searching every day for rentals. She’s been to 100 inspections and can’t get anywhere within her budget for her and her two children. She’s not getting any support, and she has two weeks until she’s homeless,’ he shared.
He added: ‘I got a call last night from another woman out at Redcliffe who’s sleeping in her car with three children, 8, 10, and 14—three girls. She’s been sleeping in her CAR.’
Despite the evident need, Brisbane’s tent cities faced eviction earlier this year, as Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner ordered those sleeping on public land to leave within 24 hours. This decision, made shortly after severe weather events, was met with widespread criticism.
Gabba Ward Councillor Trina Massey called the move’ cruel and hypocritical’.
‘The Lord Mayor’s cruel and opportunistic stance, criminalising homelessness just days after vulnerable communities were exposed to severe weather, does nothing to support those facing domestic violence, substance abuse or others falling through the cracks,’ she said.
What personal experiences or stories about the housing crisis would you like to share? What changes would you like to see in government policies to tackle the housing crisis? Join the conversation and share your perspective below.
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