The Nationals’ Member for Shepparton District, Kim O’Keeffe, has said that Homelessness Week is incredibly important to shine a spotlight on the urgent need for safe, secure housing and bringing communities together to raise awareness and to think about what it means to be homeless.
“We know that every day of the year, people are experiencing homelessness and are in desperate need of support.
“We are in a housing crisis and the Shepparton District has approximately 1,584 households on social housing waitlist, reflecting an acute unmet demand for housing.
“Among these, it’s estimated that 1,477 priority households are highly vulnerable with individuals’ escaping family violence, those with a disability or mental health needs, or experiencing chronic households”, Ms O’Keeffe said.
The Shepparton District continues to face one of the highest rates of homelessness among regional areas in Victoria, with approximately 5.6 people experiencing homelessness for every 1,000 residents. On any given night, an estimated 436 people are without a permanent home.
“Alarmingly, of those 436 individuals, around 162 are aged 19 or younger, highlighting the growing crisis of youth homelessness in our community. We must continue to strive for housing support and solutions to assist those that desperately need for our help.
“As the cost of living continues to rise, we are seeing more people pushed to the brink unable to rent, meet mortgage requirements, cover basic bills, or even put food on the table, and are at risk of homelessness.
“The demand for housing and assistance is rising, and the most vulnerable people in our community are in urgent need of support. Service providers and food relief organisations are pushed to the limit with increasing demand.
“It is heartbreaking to witness people that are homeless, sleeping rough in our community or struggling to put food on the table.
“My office is inundated with people reaching out for urgent need of housing and support. Also, through my connection with Azem and People Supporting People, I get to see firsthand the devastation and impact of homelessness.
“More must be done. Everyone deserves a safe roof over their head and a place to call home, and housing must be a priority.”
Ms O’Keeffe is calling on the Allan Labor Government to prioritise regional communities in tackling homelessness.
“I have constantly been calling on the Labor Government to urgently address our housing shortage.
“It shows the lack of insufficient housing investment with one third of all who are homeless in Australia are in Victoria. The Allan Labor Government must do better.
“I also urge people to donate to organisations and services that help the homeless. They do such an amazing, tireless work that helps the most vulnerable people in our community.”
