Adelaide’s west in the midst of worst homelessness crisis in decades
UNAFFORDABLE housing in Adelaide’s west has resulted in the worst homelessness crisis in decades — with families like Derak Sorrell, Emmah Ashton and their cute toddler Harrison left without a place to live.
- SA’s dumpster divers driven by rising cost of living
- Rough sleepers spend years on the streets
- SA’s worsening homelessness crisis
- OUR SPECIAL COST OF LIVING SERIES
WHEN people think of the homeless, they do not usually picture a young family with an adorable tot in tow.
But earlier this year, Derek Sorrell, Emmah Ashton and their three-year-old son Harrison found themselves with nowhere to live.
After having to leave their Semaphore rental suddenly after four years — due to the owner wanting to renovate — the pair struggled to find another rental in their price range.
These soaring rents are a big contributor to the worst homelessness crisis in Adelaide’s west that Adelaide Homelessness Service manager Joe Gannon has seen in his 30 years in the sector.
And it is a situation he believes will worsen as a result of the gentrification of Port Adelaide and its neighbouring suburbs
In the nine months between July and March this year, the number of people seeking the Uniting SA service’s help rose by more than eight per cent, to 1467 people.
Derek and Emmah turned to the Western Adelaide Homelessness Service, which helped them into a small, one-room motel.
The State Govenment covered that cost, but only if the pair could show they were out looking for a home — a significant challenge as neither Mr Sorrell nor Ms Ashton drive and are reliant on public transport.
Mr Sorrell receives a disability support pension as a result of PTSD and anxiety, and Ms Ashton receives a carers’ allowance.
Mr Sorrell said being homeless was a “high-anxiety rollercoaster”.
“Having to live out of a microwave, having to live out of a little fridge and being in a tiny room with two other people for 11 weeks it gets a bit heated at times,” Mr Sorrell said.
Ms Ashton said homelessness was more difficult with a toddler.
“It was pretty hard on him (Harrison), he didn’t understand what was going on,” Ms Ashton said.
She also faced a painful dental infection while living in the motel, which further added to the couple’s stress.
“There were times when Emmah couldn’t get out of bed and because she’s my carer when she can’t get out of bed nothing happens,” Mr Sorrell said.
“It’s just hard because you know they (Western Adelaide Homelessness Service) are trying for you but you have to show you are looking and get those houses in if you want a roof to stay over your head.”
Mr Sorrell said they were in a similar situation five years ago and “within two weeks we had three houses to choose from”.
“Last time, it was so much easier.”
Mr Gannon said while there was an increase in the number of “rough sleepers”, 95 per cent of homeless people in the west were hidden, as they were staying in overcrowded motels, hostels and boarding houses or couch surfing.
“As a service, we are finding it harder and harder to find affordable housing for people,” Mr Gannon said.
“We always found an option three decades ago, we didn’t see the amount of people sleeping on the streets.
“We are seeing a rise in families, in single females, in the elderly — it is across the board.”
He said the issue was being driven by a diminishing number of community and public housing and a lack of affordable private rentals.
The number of community and public houses dropped by 600 from 21015/26 to 2016/17.
That drop coincided with a rise in the number of people — particularly singles — who were either unemployed or underemployed, and struggling to afford soaring rent, utility and transport costs.
“We are really worried about the future and ongoing affordability,” Mr Gannon said.
“We really need rejuvenation around here but we need to consider housing for low-socio economic families. Port Adelaide is traditionally a low-socio economic area.”
He said “once upon a time” families could rent a small, yellow brick unit for $70 a week. “Now, depending on where you are, you’re looking at $350 a week.”
According to last year’s Census data, Port Adelaide Enfield has the highest rate of homelessness in SA.
The community can help support locals experiencing homelessness by donating money, clothing, blankets and non-perishables to Uniting SA’s Winter Appeal.
He said it was hard to secure rental accommodation while on a pension.
“Landlords see (that) on the application and put it to the side.” After four months in the motel, it got to “crisis point” and Housing Trust SA stepped in and gave them a house to rent at North Haven.
“We are really happy with it, for my PTSD, it is perfect,” Mr Sorrell said of the new home.
“It’s quiet, it has a big backyard for Harrison and it’s right by Foodland.
“And at least now we have a Housing Trust house we are dreaming about how we can stay there for a long time and set it up and make it a home.
“All the other places we’ve lived in, we’ve never been able to think of it as a home because we didn’t know when we would be leaving.”
People can donate online at unitingsa.com.au/donate or by phoning 8440 2200. They can also drop off donations to 58 Dale St, Port Adelaide.