Brighton East homeless shelter plan: locals air worries about violence, drugs at public meeting

HUNDREDS of people have packed a stormy public meeting over a controversial plan to put five portable units for rough sleepers on a $3.7 million Brighton East property. WATCH

Hundreds of people have swamped a public meeting held over a controversial plan for a homeless shelter on South Rd.

Under the State Government move, five portable units would be placed on the vacant site on the corner of Barnett St, providing temporary housing for rough sleepers.

Brighton East homeless shelter plan stuns locals fearing suburb of ‘junkies and ex-criminals’

But locals fear an influx of “ex-criminals” and “drug and alcohol addicts”.

During an hour-long fiery Q&A session neighbours raised concerns about drug use on site, community safety, and anti-social behaviour.

Russell McDonald, who lives nears the site, said neighbours had legitimate concerns and were not being petty.

“I’m not against public housing, please don’t get me wrong,” he said.

“There’s a street load of kids (here) that walk to the bus stop, and they’re going to pass, what I have been told, (people who will) have drug issues, alcohol issues, mental issues and need 24/7 support.”

A representive confirmed there will be no sex offenders on site.

The $3.7 million Brighton East site is opposite a golf course and just 1km from schools.

Four representative of the government and Towards Homes housing program manned last night’s rowdy meeting, attended by about 200 people, at the Kingston Arts Centre.

Another hundred people were refused entry, and told to register for another session next Monday night.

Liberal candidate for Brighton James Newbury briefed people who were locked out of the session.

“The government is ramming through a project without consulting the community,” Mr Newbury said.

“Their approach has been divisive and shifty. As a result, we saw frustrations boil over.”

Attendees were told rough sleepers would be will be moved there in January; and it was unclear how long the units would be there.

A sixth unit on the site will house rostered support workers to live on-site and provide the rough sleepers with 24/7 support; and pensioners or concession holders will pay 25 per cent market rent.