It’s time for national plan to eradicate homelessness

THIS year Homelessness Week runs August 4-10, with the very timely theme of “Housing ends homelessness”.

It’s an annual week where we can raise awareness of homelessness and the services available as well as stand up and advocate for much-needed action and solutions which can ultimately end homelessness in Gold Coast region and across Australia.

Every day, our staff at Mission Australia work with people who are at risk of, or who are homeless.

We feel it is a major concern that the issue isn’t getting the attention it deserves in our national parliament.

The 2016 Census estimated that there were 1723 people who were listed as being homeless in the Gold Coast region, including 228 who were sleeping rough. The rest were living in supported accommodation, severely overcrowded housing, boarding houses, short-term lodgings or staying temporarily with other households.

Mission Australia’s Reconnect program has for many years been assisting young people in the Gold Coast region who are at risk or experiencing homelessness. Reconnect works with young people on the Gold Coast and their families by providing case management, family mediation and practical support.

We need a national plan to end homelessness and a national housing strategy to deliver 500,000 social and affordable rental homes by 2030. We know what works, but it needs funding, leadership, continuous commitment and shared effort which will best be achieved through a national homelessness strategy.

I encourage everyone to join me and the chorus of voices calling on leaders in our community and beyond to make the changes needed to end homelessness.

You can also sign up to the Everybody’s Home campaign which is led by a coalition of housing, homelessness and welfare organisations including Mission Australia, to call for national action to end homelessness at everybodyshome.com.au DARREN STOCKMAN, MISSION AUSTRALIA RECONNECT PROGRAM MANAGER GOLD COAST