Welfare groups report spike in homelessness across a number of Adelaide Hills towns
If you thought homelessness was an urban problem, think again. Welfare groups are reporting an alarming new rate of “rough sleepers” in the Adelaide Hills.
Adelaide Hills
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Charities say homelessness is increasing across the Adelaide Hills as more people seek help to cope with financial pressures.
Salvation Army Captain Daniel Wayman said the organisation’s Mount Barker branch was providing support to about 35 people a week, up by 20 per cent compared with the start of the year.
“I think it’s a growing issue up here,” Mr Wayman said.
“For example, we have a lot of single mums up here who live in these towns which have no easy public transport and they often also don’t have cars.
“So it’s not easy for them to get into town (where help is available).”
He said while couch-surfing was the most prevalent form of homelessness in the region, some people were sleeping rough.
“More recently, I had a guy in Crafers that I went and visited,” he said.
“A couple of the locals spotted him. They were concerned because of the colder weather but also because the town is an unusual spot to see a homeless person.
“There seems to be new pockets popping up, so the whole issue is becoming more prevalent and obvious, even in some of the bigger towns.”
Shelter SA executive director Alice Clark said homelessness had been a growing issue across the Hills for a number of years.
She said the Mount Barker region was the biggest area of concern, but was not surprised to hear the issue had spread to other towns.
She said there was a need for more public housing across the state, including in the Hills and other regional areas.
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“Wherever we go in the region, homelessness and rough sleeping exists, so I’m not surprised, sadly, that this is also happening in a growing part of the Hills,” Dr Clark said.
“While the increased rate of JobSeeker has probably helped some people keep their housing, there’s a whole bunch of people that are unemployed that have now become homeless during this difficult time.
“Personally, I think the demise of public housing has a lot to answer for. Instead of increasing the supply of public housing, it’s been sold off and the regions are not exempt from that.
“Unfortunately, the State Government is not really interested in this topic so local communities can and should get together to see what they can do to assist people in need.”
Human Services Minister Michelle Lensink did not answer direct questions about homelessness in the Hills.
However, she said almost 400 South Australians had been accommodated as a result of COVID-19 pressures.