By Tanya Steele
National Homelessness Week begins from 7 August, with cost of living pressures from rate rises and rental crises still hurting some of Australia’s most vulnerable population.
For those already homeless or on the brink, the situation is dire and no easy solution is on the horizon.
Sheree Laumen, HICCI’s Manager for Emergency Relief said the centre has been expecting a surge but hasn’t been as deeply impacted as inner city areas.
“We’ve been expecting it but I don’t know whether it’s our demographic and Healesville but we’re certainly back to now pre-Covid numbers gone up a little bit, but not hugely, not like a lot of agencies have been closer into the city,” she said.
“There are probably more than what I know of.”
Organisations such as Stable One provide programs like the Yarra Valley Winter Shelter and co-opt locations like churches to assist people with temporary overnight stays.
“It’s a great initiative and it does fill a little bit of a gap, Ms Laumen said.
The program runs through Winter from 1 June – 31 August and local churches work to support men and women experiencing homelessness in the Yarra Valley.
They open their buildings overnight with dinner, dormitory-style sleeping, and breakfast.
A daytime support centre offers lunch, laundry and shower facilities and other opportunities for connection and referrals.
Ms Laumen said that breaking the cycle of homelessness is very challenging without consistent support.
“When a client becomes homeless, they generally have a slow decline in their well-being,” she said.
“Keeping their paperwork together, being well rested without the stress of having a safe place to sleep – all of this can really affect mental and physical health.”
Ms Laumen said people are always welcome to drop in for help with a range of services that most take for granted.
“ A load of washing, a warm meal, a chat or a change of clothes, we can help – just pop in,” she said.
