Wollongong Councillor Advocates Immediate Solutions for Homelessness

Wollongong's Homelessness Challenge

In his first motion as a Wollongong councillor, Kit Docker aims for more decisive action to combat homelessness. Cr Docker's proposal calls on council staff to review its Protocol for Homeless People in Public Places and enhance support for frontline services dealing with homelessness.

The Motion's Focus

Cr Docker stated, "In Wollongong, we're beyond the housing crisis. We're starting to slip into a homelessness crisis." His motion explores the development application process to expedite the creation of crisis accommodations for immediate needs over affordable housing.

• Local service providers prefer to turn dwellings into Airbnbs rather than crisis accommodation.
• Cr Docker emphasizes urgency in addressing these critical housing needs.

Call for Collective Action

Cr Docker believes that while the council's efforts are present, state and federal governments need to do more. "We need to throw everything we have at this problem," he insists, arguing that a lack of action now will lead to greater costs in the future.

Community Support

He expresses confidence that fellow councillors will support his motion, stating, "Every councillor cares about their community and understands this crisis." His request for a briefing signals a strengthened focus on homelessness in Wollongong.