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Local voices in podcast share state of housing stress in the shire

Bega Valley Shire Council has launched the first episode of a podcast on the state of housing and homelessness in the Bega Valley Shire.

Unhoused: Voices from the Threshold podcast released.

Unhoused: Voices from the Threshold podcast released.

30 April 2025

Bega Valley Shire Council has launched the first episode of a podcast on the state of housing and homelessness in the Bega Valley Shire.

Council’s Director of Community, Environment and Planning, Emily Harrison said Unhoused – Voices from the Threshold will provide an insight into the lives of local people who have found themselves homeless, on the brink of homelessness, in transitional housing or unable to find stable accommodation.

“The podcast will also give a voice to the organisations and individuals working to provide support and services to these people, including charity groups, developers, local councillors and real estate agents,” Ms Harrison said.

“We have commissioned Sapphire Stories to produce the 6-episode podcast, which is fully funded under the NSW Premier’s Department Social Cohesion Grant for Local Government.

“Each month you will hear stories relating the housing experiences of young people, mature single women, families, bushfire-affected households, First Nations people, single men, older Australians and those seeking housing for outside workers.

“You will find out what it’s like to sleep in your car, to cook without a kitchen, to live in extreme overcrowding, to face an unsure future and to feel ignored. And on the flipside, you will also hear about the impact of the things many of us take for granted—like being able to shower and wash your hair and sleep without fear of discovery.

“Local people will explain how difficult it is to find the right support and services, how long it takes to get through the system and what it feels like to get to the other side.”

Ms Harrison said the podcast shares real experiences and while many of these stories are distressing, there are also stories that highlight the generosity of communities and determination to achieve better outcomes for people looking for dependable housing.

“You will also hear what local support services are saying about the housing situation in the Bega Valley and the podcast will take in the bigger picture of housing supply,” she said.

“We hope the Unhoused podcast helps raise awareness of the changing face of homelessness in our shire, challenges perceptions about what it means to be homeless, and generates ideas for solutions.”

You can access the podcast from the Unhoused – Voices from the Threshold webpage on Council’s website.

You can also listen to the Trailer and Episode One on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Pocket Casts.

The development of the podcast is an action from the Bega Valley Affordable Housing Strategy to create community awareness about homelessness.

Making an enquiry

All media enquiries and interview requests are coordinated by Council's Communication and Engagement team under the adopted Communications Policy. To view this policy, visit Public Policies and search 'communications'.

To submit a media enquiry or to request an interview:

Councillors

Councillors can be contacted directly for enquiries regarding decisions of the elected Council and non-operational matters. Interviews with the Mayor should be arranged through the Communication and Engagement team contact details above.

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If you’re a journalist or media organisation that would like to receive media releases and notifications about media opportunities, please email your name, title and contact details to media@begavalley.nsw.gov.au and we will add you to our distribution list.

You can also subscribe to Bega Valley Together and Business News, Council's fortnightly e-newsletters, or follow @begavalleyshirecouncil on Facebook  and Instagram.

© Bega Valley Shire Council 2025

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