A roof brings new direction

THE state government has announced a new $77 million action plan for tackling homelessness as Lilydale’s crises accommodation centre shows more than 200 young people were in need of emergency housing last year.
The latest figures from Anchor show the organisation has housed more than 700 people in need of crises accommodation in the last financial year.
But the opposition says the state government’s action plan is little more than funding for politicians and bureaucrats to sit around and talk.
Anchor youth and community services manager Nich Rogers said the demand for affordable housing was constantly outstripping supply.
“Our opening door service is always busy but we get limited funding to support people,” he said.
“Most individuals will come with a complex array of other needs, which often include things related to family relationship breakdowns, drug and violence or family health issues.”
He said it was often hard to move people from emergency accommodation and on to short-term accommodation and then on to permanent public housing or private rentals.
“Many people we end up supporting for upwards of six months,” he said.
“There is no question we need more bricks and mortar but we also need to provide a much more holistic response to people’s housing needs.”
Mr Rogers said homelessness wasn’t just about “having no roof over your head” but also losing the opportunity to participate in communities.
“It’s a growing isolation that leaves people out of the loop,” he said.
“We need education services that will identify people’s passions and hold their hand to find training.
“It’s about re-engaging people with their communities.”
Mr Rogers’ comments come during a week where the state government announced a $76.7 million action plan to tackle homelessness.
Housing minister Wendy Lovell said the four-year plan would focus on providing a pathway for vulnerable Victorians into stable housing.
“The new Action Plan involves focusing on early intervention, with targeted assistance to help vulnerable people before they become homeless,” Ms Lovell said.
She said the plan would support innovative ways of tackling homelessness, look at proactive ways of keeping people from needing crises accommodation and provide funding where it is needed.
– Mara Pattison-Sowden