Fed up residents of an affluent Brisbane suburb have issued a letter complaining about a motel in their area being used as a homeless shelter.
The residents behind the letter have criticized the “behavior” of some residents of the Hamilton motel, who were placed there by Micah Projects, a government-funded homelessness support service.
The letter urges locals to contact state politicians, the motel and Micah Projects in a bid to restore one of Brisbane's wealthiest suburbs to its “quiet” past.
The average house price in the suburb is currently $1.9 million – more than twice the national figure of $753,654.
The letter charged that the nonprofit had failed to “screen” those placed in the motel for shelter or provide ongoing support.
Micah Projects CEO Karyn Walsh criticized the letter, telling Daily Mail Australia that “it is certainly not the case that we are not active”.
Residents of one of Brisbane's wealthiest suburbs, Hamilton, have written a letter (pictured) urging 'action' against a motel housing the homeless
The resident objected to the “behavior” of those staying at the motel, claiming that the nonprofit that housed them there, Micah Projects, had failed to screen them or provide ongoing support.
“With many voices, we can change our community for the better,” the letter reads.
“We have already taken some action to remove certain people, and we need your help to return to the safe and peaceful neighborhood we had before these people were placed in place.”
The letter alleged that some of those placed at the motel for housing were “able to remain at the motel despite seriously violating required standards of conduct.”
On the second page of the letter, affected residents were given a list of emails, including those from Ms Walsh, local state MPs and the Minister for Policy, Community Safety and Housing.
Ms Walsh said some of the issues raised by the community are not being committed by those housed at Micah Projects, or are 'outside the scope' of the organisation.
“As far as community concerns about the specific people there (housed by Micah Projects), they have been addressed,” she said.
“I am aware of what the community is saying publicly, and we have taken action and had conversations with those considered a problem at the motel.
“We always want to balance the needs of the vulnerable in the community with the needs of the community.”
The agreement between the motel and Micah Projects has been in place for years, allowing vacant rooms to be used as temporary accommodation for those in need.
Ms Walsh said the “aim” was not to get vulnerable people to stay for long periods of time, but instead “to get them out of motels and permanent homes as quickly as possible”.
Micah Projects CEO Karyn Walsh (pictured) dismissed some of the letter's claims, saying the nonprofit was active in helping people at the motel and that troublemakers were removed
Ms Walsh said the agreement between Micah Projects and the motel was a short-term solution to get people off the streets before helping them into permanent housing (stock image)
She said the organization fully supports the motel as a private business that sets its own standards for the behavior of those who stay there.
“If people don't adhere to these standards, we don't tell managers not to stay there and ask them not to contact police if there are safety concerns specifically affecting women and children,” Ms Walsh said .
Although Micah Projects has seen increasing success in housing once-homeless families and individuals, there is still a steady influx of Aussies becoming homeless as a result of the housing crisis.
“This housing crisis has left families without a home, especially single mothers and those fleeing domestic violence,” Ms Walsh said.
'We have not been able to stop the influx of homeless people, despite an increased outflow, as tenants unfortunately face problems such as rent increases or landlords selling their homes.'
She said more must be done to ease the housing crisis and provide affordable shelter for those struggling.
“We need to use resources efficiently so that there are no empty houses while people are on the streets, and we need more government housing,” Ms Walsh said.