Call for community, government and charities to band together to stop homelessness

THE rate of homelessness is rising rapidly with the lack of affordable housing leaving thousands on the edge of calamity.

WHILE many of us are lucky enough to have a warm home and comfortable bed to lay our heads, this is not the case for everyone.

There are people in our community — neighbours, colleagues, classmates, friends, family — who are only a job loss or injury away from losing their home.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics the rate of homelessness in Australia increased 4.6 per cent in the last five years.

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Right now there are 57,000 adults in Victoria on the list for public housing.

And more concerning is the fact there are 24,000 children also living without stable accommodation.

The property market is next to impossible to enter for many young people who are forced to stay at home longer, or need their parents financial help to buy a home.

ABS statistics show number of elderly, young people and migrants, either out on the street or in crammed living conditions, is rapidly rising.

Anchor chief executive Heidi Tucker. Picture: Steve Tanner

Homelessness support service Anchor chief executive Heidi Tucker, who talked to Leader about the dire situation in the Yarra Ranges, said there had not been any new stock of government housing built for more than 20 years in Victoria.

“There’s a shortfall of 650 affordable housing units in the Yarra Valley right now,” Ms Tucker said.

“The average percentage of social housing across Melbourne is 2.6 per cent.

“In the Yarra Valley it is 1.9 per cent. By all accounts we’re falling behind.”

She said the fact there is an affordable housing crisis and many people are right on the edge of calamity was falling on deaf ears.

“No stock of public housing has been built for more than 20 years across Victoria,” Ms Tucker said.

“It’s been left so long, we don’t know what’s going to give.”

Homeless support advocates Tim Heenan, Les Twentyman, Samantha Dunn, Nick Rogers and Neal Taylor. Picture: Richard Serong

Ms Tucker said she had seen an outer east family — a mother, father and four children aged between 3 and 14 — become homeless.

“Four years ago they were living in a three-bedroom house,” she said.

“Dad was out of work, mum’s hours at the local supermarket were cut in half, so the family moved to a two-bedroom unit.”

She said as the rent became unaffordable, the family had to move into grandma’s two-bedroom house.

“The eldest child, a boy of 14 years, was asked by his parents to find somewhere else to live as the unit was too crowded,” she said.

Ms Tucker said the only way to end homelessness was for nonprofits, the community and government to band together.

“Solving the complex problem of homelessness is a long journey that can only be addressed through a housing market that provides affordable secure housing options,” she said.

“The aim should be to address the precursors to homelessness before it actually happens to avoid the trauma and crisis of that experience.”

Yarra Ranges charity Holy Fools helps feed and support homeless people. Neal Taylor at Melba Park.

Do something to stop tragedy

Reader story by Holy Fools chief executive Neal Taylor

Homelessness in the Yarra Ranges is a tragedy increasing in scale and becoming more evident through the sightings and the public concern about the growing sightings of rough sleepers. So, while the numbers of people experiencing homelessness are starting to increase, the public awareness and concern is also growing. Though not fast enough!

Affordable housing is the key. In fact, at this point, we have very little. Quite the opposite. Housing, whether rental or mortgaged, is becoming a luxury, priced out of range of a growing portion of our community. Often, what is affordable is substandard and not suitable to raise families, let-alone live in.

What can be done to stop the growing numbers of homeless? The creation of affordable and sustainable housing is a great start. Perhaps it could be Tiny Houses or flatpack houses. It needs to be affordable and sustainable — cheap to maintain — keeping heating and cooling costs down.

Until that happens — and we need at least 200 to 300 new affordable and sustainable homes in the Yarra Ranges to make a start — there are many agencies including Holy Fools that are doing their best to help those who are homeless, and educate and create awareness.

Find out how you can make a difference — including advocating, educating, contributing and volunteering — but don’t do nothing.

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