Housing ‘out of reach’
AWimmera woman who is struggling to find secure housing is echoing a plea to improve affordable housing opportunities across the region.
Amber, 25, who did not wish to disclose her surname, is staying in Uniting Wimmera’s transitional housing with her son while she works with a support worker to find a permanent residence.
Amber, before falling pregnant, had slept in toilet blocks or moved between houses.
During pregnancy she was living in a caravan in a friend’s back yard.
Amber said although she was relieved to be in Uniting’s care in accommodation for 13 weeks, the pressing need for permanent housing was growing deeper.
The young mother said she was concerned the Wimmera’s lack of affordable housing was going to be a major hurdle in gaining a secure roof over her head.
“This is short-term and I still have the stress of trying to find permanent housing with my son,” she said.
“Access to public housing is limited and being a single mother on one income, it has been difficult for a real estate agency to give me a go.”
Uniting works with people who fall homeless for many reasons, such as relationship breakdown, family violence, people exiting correctional facilities, loss of jobs or unable to find accommodation.
Amber said she believed the public perception that only people experiencing drug and alcohol problems were falling homelessness needed to change.
“Not all homeless people are using drugs or alcohol. People always say that’s the cause, but it’s not. The rising rent cost is,” she said.
“I would like to change how people see it, for them to take the time to understand it and acknowledge that it is there.
“To make people aware of people couch surfing and in crisis accommodation – I think the awareness and stigma needs to change.”
Amber encouraged anyone experiencing housing difficulties to reach out and stay positive.
“Don’t give up. If you give up you have already lost,” she said.
“Stay in contact with your supports and don’t be picky – make your own path and always be kind.”
On the rise
In the past year, Uniting Wimmera services saw 1233 people who were homeless or at risk of homelessness seek support. Of those, 532 were women, 398 were men and 303 were children under the age of 14.
The service-provider expects demand for homelessness support to again be amplified as regional Victoria re-enters stage-three COVID-19 restrictions.
Homelessness program leader Belinda Gilpin said during this time more people already in vulnerable living circumstances were at risk of falling homeless.
“We have seen a 62 percent increase in spend assisting households with emergency accommodation since the same period last year, from March 16 to current, due to the effect of COVID-19,” she said.
“This was largely due to fear of getting the virus and having additional people in your household, and wanting to keep family safe, leaving people who were couch surfing with no other options.
“We have people sleeping in their cars or camper vans. There are people in Horsham that will be sleeping for a short time by the river in a swag.”
Ms Gilpin said people in Amber’s situation were likely to experience a continuous sense of uncertainty while searching for a place to live.
“She is working through her exit plan to where she will transition to,” she said.
“We were able to assist her with rental references, which is really great for people who have never rented before.
“It’s hard because people can be in this situation for an unknown period of time and they try so hard and they’re often not given the opportunity for private rental.” Ms Gilpin said affordable housing in the Wimmera was challenging Uniting’s support workers to help people find long-term options.
“There is an incredible lack of housing in this region. It’s expensive and out of reach for people – their income just isn’t enough to be able to fund rent and their cost of living,” she said.
“And there’s a lot of people who go to inspections for houses too, which makes it really hard.”
Ms Gilpin said homelessness could happen to anyone
“It doesn’t discriminate between ages. We have young and old people, male, female and different backgrounds,” she said.
“We have a lot of clients who have been couch surfing and that environment might be overcrowded and violence might even be present.”
As part of Homelessness Week, from August 3 to 8, Uniting Vic. Tas is joining forces with organisations across the country to raise awareness of people at risk of, or currently experiencing homelessness.