Greater Dandenong, Monash part of 13 councils moving to end homelessness
Leader has for months revealed government-supplied housing was riddled with crime and drug use forcing people to survive on the streets. Now council’s across Melbourne’s southeast and east have banded together to tackle the homelessness crisis.
South East
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Melbourne councils in the southeast and east are calling for urgent action to build more social housing to end the homelessness crisis.
Thirteen councils including Greater Dandenong, Monash and Casey are calling for more housing to address the social and health needs of the region’s most vulnerable community members.
The Alliance of Councils has adopted a charter to guide the campaign.
Initiated by Monash Council, the Regional Local Government Homelessness and Social Housing Charter 2020 was created after a forum including chief executives and senior staff from the councils met to discuss issues surrounding the crisis.
It comes after the Greater Dandenong Leader launched its ‘Clean Up Dandenong’ campaign in February, to tackle homelessness in the region and urging Victoria Police and all levels of government to make the precinct safer.
Several people living with homelessness have told Leader they felt “safer” living on the streets, than in motels being provided by the State Government during the coronavirus pandemic.
In central Dandenong, the Leader saw a homeless camp set up under the underpass near Shepley Oval.
There was dumped rubbish nearby including trolleys, mattresses, sleeping bags and other items scattered around the bushes.
A man, who asked not to be named, who was begging for cash near McCrae St, said he had a “shocking time” staying in temporary accommodation.
“It’s been unsafe, I have witnessed a lot of violence including stabbings, it’s out of control,’’ he said. “There’s also a lot of drug use. This is why we’re on the street and we’re safer for it,” he said.
The campaign would allow councils to act on working in partnership with federal and state governments including public and private sector partners in a co-ordinated approach to deliver meaningful outcomes to increase the provision of social housing and respond to homelessness in Melbourne’s east and southeast.
It would also scope land within each municipality that has the potential to be re-purposed for adaptable housing need and advocate for inclusive housing growth including mandatory inclusionary zoning.
Greater Dandenong Mayor Jim Memeti said local government officers were most often
the first responders to people experiencing homelessness in local communities.
“The issue is increasing since the COVID-19 crisis, which has further pushed vulnerable people into crisis, especially women and children experiencing family violence and those on low incomes,” Cr Memeti said.
Monash Mayor Stuart James said a home was fundamental for recovery and safety.
“All 13 Councils are committed to working together to see change in social housing
provision. Never has it been more important,” Cr James said.
ABS data shows 116,000 people nationally are homeless, while the number of people without permanent homes in Melbourne has increased by 14 per cent in the past five years.
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