General News
24 June, 2023
Mapping lack of crisis lodgings
A new initiative is examining how motels could play a role in reducing the Wimmera's housing crisis. The Family Safety Victoria Motels Coordination Project is attempting to map and report on crisis lodging used by victims of family abuse and their...
A new initiative is examining how motels could play a role in reducing the Wimmera's housing crisis.
The Family Safety Victoria Motels Coordination Project is attempting to map and report on crisis lodging used by victims of family abuse and their children.
The Wimmera South West arm of the project is being carried out by Grampians Community Health, and financed by Family Safety Victoria.
Project facilitator Malcolm Hill said it was designed to address shortfalls and identify areas which may offer further support.
"Its aim is to provide service users with safer, more dependable crisis housing options," Mr Hill said.
GCH manager family violence and healthy communities Gemma Beavis said a local advisory group was in charge of the project and creating an action plan to explore possible solutions.
“We have developed a report detailing service gaps, challenges and areas in need of addressing, and will provide feedback to motels with the goal of creating and maintaining supportive working relationships,” she said.
"We have assessed facilities and can see an ongoing issue relating to the number of motels and the demand for that accommodation.
"It is a big challenge."
Horsham Motel manager Tony Singh said people frequently contacted him asking for long-term rentals due to the shortage of available housing in the community.
"Sometimes people do come for long-term renting as they are unable to find any in the town," Mr Singh said.
"Getting a house in Horsham is very tough, so we're helping people during these times, but there are still some people who are unable to afford motels."
Mr Hill said he was consulting both service providers and motels as part of the review, due to be completed this month.
“At the moment we’re mapping the motels and the services used to house victims, survivors of violence and those in crisis, and we will consult crisis services and accommodation providers.
“By the completion of the project, Family Safety Victoria will have information and recommendations to safely accommodate in-crisis victim survivors and their children."
While motels are there as an option for those experiencing homelessness, Uniting Wimmera's team leader of homelessness Belinda Gilpin said there is a limited amount of motels they have access to.
"We have limited funding to support people into this accommodation, so we are having to support more people with tents, swags and sleeping bags," she said.
"In regional areas, there is already limited accommodation options available so it's already difficult to find accommodation.
"Right now, with the housing shortage and with housing affordability worse than ever, it's just putting a strain on limited resources.
Ms Gilpin said they are seeing an increasing number of people coming in and asking for help.
"They're frustrated, they're anxious, they're stressed, they don't want to be in this situation and they are embarrassed about reaching out for help, but there's no choice," she said.