General News
21 June, 2024
Our homeless crisis: 543 in the Wimmera now calling for help
At a time when the country is reeling under cost-of-living and housing pressures, uncertainty is at a peak - and keeping a roof over our heads is at a premium.
But not everyone can meet that challenge.
One in 63 Victorians has received homelessness assistance in the past 12 months.
That is more severe than the national rate of one in 92 Australians.
In the Wimmera, a total of 543 people have so far declared themselves homeless this financial year - including 168 people under 25.
And the numbers are only increasing.
Many people are experiencing homelessness for the first time.
Not-for-profit organisations such as Uniting Vic Tas are struggling to help each and every vulnerable person as their entry points continue to be overwhelmed, against a backdrop of limited support and available resources.
Services say the negative stigma and assumptions need to be washed away, because anyone - regardless of age and status - can find themselves without a home.
And everyone deserves to be treated with the same kindness and respect.
This week we present the first of a special two-part investigation shedding light on this vexatious issue - including interviews with those sleeping rough and those dedicated to helping them.
It is a crisis which desperately needs funding, to support both the vulnerable and those armed with the skills support them.
It also is a crisis which desperately needs our empathy and understanding.
Wimmera Mallee News journalist Caitlin Menadue reports...
Homelessness is rapidly growing in the Wimmera region with more people turning up to entry points each day for help and support.
Finanical struggles, drugs and alcohol, and family violence are just a few of the factors that can lead to anyone becoming homeless - and very suddenly.
But workers at those agencies are having to turn the vulnerable away due to a lack of funding and resources.
Uniting Vic Tas western division senior manager of homelessness Adam Liversage said their efforts were hampered by limited accommodation and funds.
"We don't have the dollars to be able to support everyone," Mr Liversage said.
"There are only so many motels in Horsham, and they've been accepting of our referrals.
"We look for how else we can help them, like alcohol or drug support, family counselling and other counselling they may need, other than the immediate help they need."
With a growing number of homeless people seeking help because of family and domestic violence, Mr Liversage said one of the organisation's ambitions was to see a women's refuge centre establshed in Horsham.
Uniting Wimmera supports five local government areas - West Wimmera, Hindmarsh, Northern Grampians, Yarriambiack and Horsham Rural City - where the statistics paint an unsettling picture.
A total of 543 people in the Wimmera have so far presented as homeless this financial year - including 168 people under 25 years.
Of the older cohort, 207 are men and 168 are women.
Over the age of 55, 31 men and 20 women present as homeless, including two people who are more than 85 years old.
Of the younger cohort, 63 are male and 105 are female.
Young people also are known to couch-surf between friends and family - but they are not included in the statistics as they technically have a roof over their heads, albeit not at a permanent address.
Mr Liversage said there had been an increase in young people turning to support services for help.
"We do get them coming in quite young as well, so that’s a real concern,” he said.
These statistics alone show how not-for-profit organisations are struggling to help everyone in need, especially during the current housing crisis.
"We can't even house workers coming to Horsham, so we always have that competition," Mr Liversage said.
He encouraged community members to reach out to homeless organisations if they were willing or able to help.
"For anyone to give us anything is gold to us," he said.
Wimmera Homelessness Alliance network co-ordinator Michelle Twigger said the number of people in distress was already higher than during the past finanical year.
"We see families and older people experiencing homelessness for the first time," Ms Twigger said.
One in 63 Victorians has received homelessness assistance - higher than the national rate of one in 92.
Statistics from The Good Box - a social enterprise that creates gift boxes for people experiencing homelessness - reveal 25 per cent of Victorians experiencing homelessness are young people, aged between 12 and 24.
The Good Box said 47 per cent were due to family and domestic violence (compared with 39 per cent nationally), 44 per cent also cited financial difficulties (39 per cent nationally) and 32 per cent blamed the ongoing housing crisis (34 per cent nationally).
* Contact Lifeline to speak to a crisis supporter on 13 11 14, text 0477 131 114, chat to Lifeline online or access the Support Toolkit at www.lifeline.org.au. All services are available 24/7.