Rental crisis pushes young workers into tents, converted garages as options dry up

Renters are looking at tents with the rental crisis deepening on the NSW south coast. (ABC News, file photo)

Young professional couples on the NSW far south coast face the prospect of living in a tent this summer unless the critical rental crisis improves, according to local housing providers. 

One of those couples is Kelsie Ridley and Keiran Coe who live on the NSW far south coast.

The 24-year-olds have been homeless since September, despite both having full-time jobs.

"[We're] currently living with my parents in a one-bedroom granny flat and I've been without a rental since September," Ms Ridley said.

Program manager for the South East Youth Accommodation Service Kylie Furnell is currently working with the couple to help them find accommodation.

Kylie Furnell says the current options available for people in need of accommodation are not good enough. (ABC South East: Keira Proust)

She said providing tents to her clients is one of their only options left.

"That's never good enough."

Ms Ridley and Mr Coe planned on taking some time out from their search.

"We're going camping next month just so we have somewhere to stay and get outside," Ms Ridley said.

Due to an impending influx of visitors on the far south coast, the couple's only camping option was interstate.

"Everything on the south coast is booked out so we ended up getting one at Lakes Entrance," she said.

"It's about three hours [away.]"

Ms Ridley said she has had no luck with real estate agencies, despite applying for every available rental since September.

Kelsie and her partner have applied for every available rental since September, with no luck. (ABC Midwest and Wheatbelt: Laura Meachim)

"I literally apply for everything that comes up on the internet and I have my name down at pretty much all the real estates in the area," she said.

"It's pretty devastating when you hear that."

Housing providers scramble

The state's Department of Communities and Justice said it had booked some accommodation across the South East to provide temporary solutions.

"[We have] pre-booked accommodation in south-east NSW between December 15, 2021 and January 15, 2022," a spokesperson said.

"Temporary accommodation providers in the region consist of hotels and serviced apartments."

However, Ms Furnell said it was nowhere near enough.

"The need is greater than that," she said.

"To fill the gap we would need a lot more motels onside and maybe more efforts could be made to get more providers onside by the department."

There are increasingly limited housing options available across the Bega Valley in the lead up to Christmas. (ABC News)

Calls for community help

Housing providers in the region are now calling on the community to help alleviate some pressure.

Ms Furnell said her clients were open to all options.

"To just give that bit of a break so the system could keep working to get them into permanent rentals."