Housing waitlist cancellations a 'systems level problem', advocates say

Colin Betts is a well-known and popular figure in Gympie. ( ABC Wide Bay: James C Taylor )

Colin Betts dons his Santa suit, collects his vibrant signs painted with positive messages, and walks barefoot out to the roadside.

Accompanied by his faithful dog, Meri Rose, the 66-year-old brandishes the signs to the honks and waves of the passing traffic.

Nicknamed the Barefoot Santa of Gympie, Mr Betts has been a public fixture in the regional Queensland town for the past decade.

Colin Betts is known as Gympie's "Barefoot Santa". ( ABC News: James C Taylor )

"It's all in fun and laughter, laughter's good medicine," he said.

"A bit of positive energy, that to me means a lot."

Mr Betts lives with post-traumatic stress disorder and has been on the verge of homelessness for five years, squatting in an abandoned home with no power or hot water.

本文の著作権はABC Australiaにあります。