The paraodx of homelessness in rural and regional Queensland mining communities

Abstract

Homelessness in Australian rural and regional mining communities is both a product of the decade long mining boom from 2002 to 2012 and a result of the mining downturn. The mining cycle is a structural driver of homelessness in these communities, compounding the social and economic dynamics that influence homelessness across any community or region. Despite some extraordinary mining cycle factors that placed more people in those communities at risk of homelessness, homelessness has not been recognised as a major social issue in rural and regional mining communities. This raises the question of how does the nation prepare for the inevitable future periods of mining boom and downturns? This qualitative research project involved in-depth interviews and focus groups with 43 participants, including 12 participants from the communities of Mackay, Moranbah and Dysart who were either experiencing homelessness at the time of the study or had experienced homelessness within the last eight years. The research also included participants from specialist homelessness services, generic community and government services and other community representatives from the three communities of interest to this study. Mining companies declined the offer to participate in this study. The key findings from this research include identifying contextual factors that influenced homelessness in these mining communities in the mining boom and downturn periods. Eight specific contextual themes were identified regarding the impact of the phases of the mining cycle on homelessness in these three mining communities. The research further identifies three pathways to homelessness in mining communities throughout the mining cycle. The three pathways are: (1) relationship and family breakdown and domestic and family violence, (2) unemployment and housing affordability, and (3) high vulnerability and lack of access to housing and support services. These pathways build on previous literature about pathways to homelessness and in some instances indicate how people can end their experiences of homelessness in mining communities. The research explores how mining communities could prevent and reduce homelessness irrespective of the stage of the mining cycle through mandating the ‘Social License to Operate’, longer term social planning and policy processes, and improving access to appropriate and affordable housing. Finally, the research concludes with a list of planning, policy and practice recommendations aimed at preventing and reducing homelessness in rural and regional mining communities. These recommendations emphasise prevention and early approaches to homelessness throughout the mining cycle and more crisis accommodation options during the mining boom.