Frankston homeless squat in empty buildings to escape ‘jail cell’ share houses
Disgusting conditions inside some of Frankston’s share houses are forcing desperate people out onto the street, a homeless man says. It comes as people would rather brave the freezing conditions to avoid sleeping in “jail cells”.
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Hordes of homeless people would rather take their chances on the streets of Frankston than stay in motels provided by the State Government during the coronavirus pandemic.
And desperate people left with nowhere to go are taking shelter in derelict and unoccupied buildings including the Frankston Yacht Club and former Pancake Parlour restaurant.
Homeless man David Kadir told the Leader he was “sick” of being “broke, ripped off and demoralised” in cheap share houses including the infamous Ambassador Hotel on Nepean Hwy.
Mr Kadir lives outside the Frankston Yacht Club in his car with two others nearby, who have set up tents and sleeping bags in the undercover entrance on the foreshore.
“People are turning to the streets because of the share house conditions (and) the money they’re paying for the conditions … $250 (per week) for an 8x12 room which is a jail cell,” he said.
“You’re dealing with unhygienic bathrooms, unhygienic rooms … I’ve lost six months’ growth of hair because my mattress was full of lice.”
The Leader witnessed graffiti and mountains of litter piled inside the abandoned Pancake Parlour building on Nepean Hwy, with sleeping bags and smashed glass strewn across the floor.
It comes as rough sleepers in the neighbouring Greater Dandenong Council area said crime and overcrowding in short-term accommodation was forcing them onto streets.
In June, it was revealed a core group of up to 30 people with serious mental health and addiction issues were living on inner Melbourne streets, despite being offered free hotel accommodation funded by taxpayers.
Several people in Greater Dandenong said they felt “safer” living on the streets than in motels being provided by the State Government during the coronavirus pandemic.
A makeshift camp has been set up below the underpass near Shepley Oval.
Homeless charity Donation Chain founder Helena Blomeley, whose group works tirelessly to provide hygiene packs and showers for the disadvantaged, said people were moving onto the streets to avoid drugs and alcohol inside share houses.
Ms Blomeley proudly opened Frankston’s Comfort Station in December — providing free, secure hot shower zone for those in need.
“(Share houses) are cesspools for drugs,” she said.
“Some of the guys are in recovery and are staying on the streets to stay sober.”
Frankston Mayor Sandra Mayer told the Leader council had noticed an increase in presentations from people with no fixed address or income during the coronavirus lockdown.
There are 73 rooming houses registered in the region but the council was not advised of the backgrounds of the occupants.
“Council has continued to work in partnership with the relevant agencies including Bolton Clarke and Launch Housing to assist our vulnerable residents,” Ms Mayer said.
“As part of our $6.434 million COVID-19 Relief and Recovery Package we have provided an additional $300,000 in financial aid and a further $270,000 in staff redeployment to Community Support Frankston.
“(This ensures) they are armed with the tools and resources they need accommodate the increased demand for their services.”
The Committee for Greater Frankston is concerned the region’s reputation is being plagued by derelict buildings which are attracting squatters, and is pushing for certain areas (e.g Nepean Hwy gateway) to be beautified in a future project. What is council’s response to this?
“We appreciate that there are many local committees and community groups who just like Council, want to see the best possible outcomes for residents now and in the future.
“Council is working with the Victorian Government’s Frankston Revitalisation Board to identify opportunities to refresh and activate the city centre. The Board, which comprises key agencies located within the city centre and health and education precinct, is actively involving relevant government departments and local stakeholders to identify key projects.
“We recently launched our Frankston 2040 initiative, which aims to engage residents and groups to help inform a 20 year vision for our city and its suburbs, and we invite anyone interested to get involved by completing the online survey and attending one of our planned digital workshops.
“Once this initial consultation is complete, a panel of diverse community members will be established by an independent consultant to review input and help formulate a plan for our future.
“Information on how to get involved in Frankston 2040 is available on the homepage of our website.”
Mr Kadir’s outcry follows concerns raised by the Committee for Greater Frankston earlier in the week, with the group calling for an “overhaul” of Frankston’s Nepean Hwy gateway, which includes the Ambassador Hotel complex.
Chief executive Ginevra Hosking told the Leader dilapidated buildings and unkept grounds were “scaring off” visitors and investors.
Ms Hosking said businesses along the thoroughfare had suffered a lack of passing trade due to the “unwelcoming” nature of the area.
“(We need to) create a main street of which are our city can be proud of and all Frankston residents need accommodation they can feel safe and secure in,” she said.
“(The northern gateway) is the first window into Frankston seen by cyclists and motorists and people coming down from Melbourne.
“(Some buildings) have been empty for many years and are now targets for squatters, graffitists and anti-social behaviour.
“How Nepean Hwy looks defines us.”
In a Leader call out conducted on August 17, dozens of residents voiced their concerns regarding the homeless population in Frankston, with some claiming a “beautification” program was needed.
“There’s nothing appealing to attract shoppers to Frankston …(Nepean Hwy) is littered with rubbish and graffiti on both sides of the freeway,” Sal Pearson said.
“Nothing will get fixed in Frankston until we can take people out of poverty. There are more homeless in Frankston now then in the last 10 years … improving the town while not looking to aid the socially and financially struggling will just turn Frankston into another St Kilda,” Kylo Davidson wrote.
“The whole (Nepean Hwy) strip is depressing, (it’s) time for an uplift (to) make it more vibrant cosmopolitan, let’s attract people. Young St shops also need an uplift (because) they look dirty. Wash them, brighten them up, paint them,” Angela Beston said.
brittany.goldsmith@news.com.au
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