Traders demand action on rough sleepers in Elizabeth St

MELBOURNE’S homelessness crisis has again reared its ugly head in the city, with rough sleepers in Elizabeth St abusing and intimidating traders, customers and tourists.

Homeless people in Elizabeth St. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

MELBOURNE’S homelessness crisis is once more rearing its ugly head in the city.

City council denies there is a problem, but rough sleepers in Elizabeth St are abusing and intimidating traders, customers and tourists.

Sugar Station’s Bella Hayes, 20, said there were regularly problems, and the situation had “definitely not improved”.

“I wouldn’t say the council has fixed the problem at all. You can see them intimidating passers-by and customers,” she said.

She said a “drunken homeless man” had stumbled into the lolly shop just five minutes before the Herald Sun visited yesterday.

“This guy came in all drunk and dishevelled. He kept saying the shop smelt like marijuana.

“I just had to ignore him until he left,”  Ms  Hayes said.

Regina Tilaar, of Traveller Souvenirs and Luggage, said she had had to call the police several times.

“They often become aggressive and violent. Sometimes they even come into the shop and disrupt customers,” Ms Tilaar said.

“I feel bad for them because it obvious the issue isn’t going away and they need help. But at the same time I need to protect customers and staff.”

Homeless people camping in Elizabeth Street in Melbourne's CBD. Picture: Ian Currie

She said it could be “quite scary” especially at night.

“I think the City of Melbourne needs to do a lot more because the problem hasn’t been fixed. I don’t think it’s gotten better. I think the crisis is the same, if not worse.”

Another trader, who wished to be anonymous for her safety, said she had seen rough sleepers abuse drugs.

“I see it all the time, and then they become aggressive and come into the shop and demand food,” she said.

“Why should I, or anyone else, feel unsafe coming to work? I get scared.”

A local businessman, who wished to remain anonymous but who has repeatedly raised the problem with council and the police, said ratepayers and passers-by had had enough.

“Since Melbourne City Council back-pedalled on cleaning this mess up, the homeless problem has escalated,” he said.

“Melbourne is seen as a soft touch. Clearly, the word has got around to the homeless and beggars that legal opinion is that they have a human right to set up homeless camps, which affects the amenity of where people live, work, and go about their daily business. These campers, like the Westpac campers, leave the area in a filthy disgrace.”

Opposition housing spokesman Georgie Crozier said: “The world’s most liveable city should not have the homelessness crisis we see, yet that’s what we get under (Premier) Daniel Andrews.”

The Minister for Housing, Disability and Ageing, Martin Foley, said: “We’ve invested a landmark $800 million in housing and homelessness support — including $119 million for homelessness and rough sleeping.

“The Liberals’ talk is cheap.

“When they were in government, they cut $330 million from housing support.

“If they really cared about homelessness, they would pressure the Turnbull Government to put a stop to funding cuts and fund home­lessness properly.

“We’re working closely with the City of Melbourne, Victoria Police and homelessness agencies to give these people the shelter and support they need,” he said.

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