HOUSING CRISIS

Surge in need for emergency accommodation

SCORES of families and children face a Christmas without shelter as emergency accommodation services report a surge in requests for help.

Fifty-nine adults and 73 children in Geelong are currently waiting for emergency housing, SalvoConnect figures reveal.

Over the past 12 months the relief centre has seen more than 3027 people access emergency relief services.

SalvoConnect social services network director Lorrinda Hamilton said the service also assisted 1845 families, 1847 first-time clients and 223 clients who had been victims of family violence last year.

“The number of homeless people in the region without adequate supply of housing provides a grim picture for some individuals and families,” Ms Hamilton said.

Of those seeking support, 390 were sleeping rough and 150 were living in an improvised dwelling.

“People requiring our assistance come for a number of reasons being family breakdown, disaster relief such as house fires or flood, medical emergencies or health issues, loss of job ... or simply because the cost of living has become too great,” Ms Hamilton said.

“We have families, that once the rent and bills are paid, have less than $100 for groceries and to live on.

“We had one woman who had only $5 remaining each week after her rent and bills were deducted.”

Last year, The Salvation Army in Geelong supported more than 450 families who were in need at Christmas, with more 130 families coming from the northern suburbs.

“At this stage we are aware that our recipients for this year will exceed those numbers,” Ms Hamilton said.

To date more than 160 families in the region have registered for the appeal.

“This represents around 400 children needing gifts, children who will wake up Christmas morning and be able to share in the gift and joy of Christmas,” she said.

Outpost Inc’s Raema Ash said the organisation was providing support to people of all ages including small children, with the median demographic of those seeking support aged in their 30s.

“The number of homeless people in the region without adequate supply of housing provides a grim picture for some individuals and families.” SALVOCONNECT’S LORRINDA HAMILTON