Podcasting
BY Sarah Patterson April 17, 2024
Podcasting November 19, 2021
New podcast gets on the front foot of Coffs Harbour’s housing crisis
Hit 105.5 mornings announcer, Ben Stevenson, is launching a new podcast called, ‘Coffs in Crisis: Solving our Housing Shortage,’ drawing attention to the housing crisis in Coffs Harbour.
The first instalment on 22 November coincides with his 65km hike to raise awareness of “the working homeless” in the Coffs Coast region.
The lack of housing is a major concern for renters on the Coffs Coast, with vacancies plummeting and rental prices increasing 25% in the past two years, adding immense stress to Coffs households, and leaving more people than ever facing the threat of homelessness.
The podcast will look at the growing housing crisis in the Coffs region, it’s impact on the community and those affected.
It will also start to unpack the causes and encourage the conversation to look for solutions and demand more be done by local, state and federal governments.
Ben will be walking 65kms from Red Rock to Sawtell, via the Solitary Islands Coastal Walk. Spending the week living out of a backpack and tent while attempting to continue his full-time job, broadcasting from 9am – 12 on Hit105.5.
“I’m excited to launch the first instalment of this podcast to bring awareness to this major issue in our community,” said Ben.
“There a lot of myths and misconceptions surrounding homeless people that I’m looking forward to breaking down. I strongly believe that housing is a human right and look forward to finding solutions to the Coffs Coast’s housing problem.”
The podcast will be available for free via the Listnr App.
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Podcasting
BY Sarah Patterson April 17, 2024
Fantastic work Ben! Coffs is lucky to have such a talented, caring, kind, genuine person like you in their corner. Good luck!
This guy consistently nails every aspect of his work. Genuinely surprised someone hasn’t picked him up for bigger and better things.
Good luck with the podcast Ben!
I cannot thank you enough Ben for having the courage and ability to raise this crisis. I started Coffs Harbour housing and rental facebook group many years ago when we were looking for housing and I saw the struggles that families were having. Since starting the group my partner and I have had to move many times due to being given 90 day notices only to see the house relet at a much higher rate. As of last week we are on 90 days notice and the reality of becoming a working homeless family is not a matter of if but a matter of when. Keep advocating and driving this investigation into the housing crisis for everyone who has been homeless is homeless or will become homeless.