Homelessness in high income mining towns and the opportunity for big business to play a part

Many rural towns where mining is dominant industry are characterised by housing stress and lack of affordable housing. High demand for housing in prospering mining towns has driven up rates for rental housing. Although mining company employees earn high wages, other members of the community have difficulty in finding or paying for suitable accommodation. This paper describes the situation of marginalised groups in mining towns, and proposes ways in which large industries such as mining enterprises could contribute to the solution.