Haven Home Safe in Preston struggles to keep up with demand

PEOPLE are sleeping rough or in their cars because they can’t get into quality crisis accommodation, a homelessness support service warns.

PEOPLE are sleeping rough or in their cars across Darebin because they can’t get into quality crisis accommodation, a homelessness support service warns.

The state electorates of Preston and Northcote have some of the highest rates of people in crisis housing with providers struggling to keep up.

PORTABLE HOMES FOR HOMELESS

BAND TOGETHER TO STOP HOMELESSNESS

WOMAN INSPIRES OTHERS TO HELP HOMELESS

Council to Homeless Persons data shows more than 63 per cent of those experiencing homelessness in Northcote and 48 per cent in Preston are in crisis accommodation, compared to 28 per cent statewide.

Both electorates have above average rates of homelessness.

Preston was listed as the 12th worst in the state with 463 people counted as homeless.

Chief operations officer Trudi Ray from Haven Home Safe in Preston, an access point for people in housing crisis, said there wasn’t enough accommodation to help the number of people coming through their doors.

“In September we saw 25 per cent more people than we are actually funded for. It’s not just people who are homeless or in housing crisis but people who are in mortgage stress,” she said.

PEOPLE FORCED TO STAY AY UNSAFE ROOMING HOUSES

Ms Ray said it was becoming more difficult to access high quality accommodation and they were increasingly having to resort to private rooming houses.

She said these houses could be unregulated and have issues with safety and drug use, making them unsuitable for many members of the public.

Ms Ray said the lack of appropriate accommodation caused some people to choose to sleep in their car or out on the streets.

Launch Housing general manager Andrew D’Arcy said they recently supported a family of six where both parents lost their jobs and spent their life savings on emergency accommodation.

“Launch Housing runs four congregate crisis facilities that are state-funded and they are constantly full,” he said.

“Whenever a vacancy arises we have multiple applications from clients.

“Over time, available accommodation tends to be further away, of poorer quality and unaffordable for people on Centrelink benefits.

“The rising numbers requiring crisis accommodation tells us that action is needed. We need an injection of investment to build more affordable housing options that cater for a range of households, from families with children, to single adults.”

@richardapearce

MORE NEWS:

COUNCIL CONSIDERS $300,000 FOR FOOTY CLUB

SNAKE FOUND IN KIDS TOYS

COLLEGE SLAMMED FOR REJECTING STUDENTS