A forum to highlight the housing crisis on the Fleurieu forum will be held at 1.30pm on Wednesday March the 2^nd at the Christian Gospel Centre in Victor Harbor.

The forum is being organised by local community organisations, including the South Coast Progressive Women’s Group.

Spokesperson Bronwyn Tasker says the forum will look on the ongoing issue of homelessness in the area and the lack of available and affordable rental housing.

Local MP David Basham has been invited to attend, along with other candidates for the seat of Finniss.

Social housing providers Junction Housing have also been invited.

To book a place at the forum contact Bronwyn on 0414 693 376.

The shortage of rental properties on the Fleurieu has become an acute problem, particularly since the start of the COVID pandemic. 

Many properties previously used as rental investments have considerably increased in value and sold to owner occupiers moving into the area.

The cheapest property currently available for rent in the Victor Harbor area on realestate.com.au is a two-bedroom unit in Encounter Bay advertised at $365 per week.

Research recently conducted by Well Home Loans listed Victor Harbor as the third most difficult place in South Australia to find a rental property. 

According to the research the average cost of rent in the area has risen by $90 per week.

Strathalbyn was the sixth most difficult place to find a rental in the state, with average rent rising there by $60 per week.

Real Estate Institute figures released late last year showed that the median cost of a rental property in Adelaide grew by 11% to $410 per week for a three-bedroom house.

The rental vacancy rate in Adelaide is also the lowest in the country.