By VICTORIA STONE-MEADOWS
LAST week was Homelessness Prevention Week and saw former Yarra Ranges Mayor Tim Heenan spend his 100th night sleeping rough to raise awareness of the issue.
While his campaign is based in Lilydale and is helping Holy Fools to raise money for a drop-in centre, homelessness is a condition that affects people across the Yarra Valley and the Dandenong Ranges.
The Dandenong Ranges Emergency Relief Service (DRERS) offers help to people at risk of falling into, or already in the grip of homelessness.
Tania Bevan is manager of DRERS and says homelessness is as much of a problem in the Dandenong Ranges as it is in other communities.
“It’s definitely an issue in our area,” she said.
“Risk of homelessness is a definitely an issue.”
DRERS assists many people who are facing troubles with housing stability, regularly helping people with food, blankets, swags, access to a hot shower, referrals, advocacy, myki top-ups, medical assistance and more.
Ms Bevan said there were many factors that contributed to homelessness and people in the Dandenong Ranges were not immune to these issues.
“Not having a home or a safe place is often the product of circumstances beyond their control.”
“Losing employment, or under-employment, family break-ups – it could be drug or alcohol issues or gambling. There are so many different problems can lead to homelessness,” she said.
Ms Bevan described the link between homelessness and mental health as a chicken-and-the-egg situation, where one might lead to other.
“Mental health is definitely a factor and once somebody is homeless it’s a factor in most cases.”
“One could imagine being homeless is a great strain both physically and emotionally on a person,” she said.
DRERS helps people who may need emergency assistance for a variety of reasons, but Ms Bevan said the problem of homelessness in the Dandenong Ranges had grown a little over the last few years.
“A snapshot of our clients since the first of July 2015 to today has us reporting that exactly two thirds of our clients are homeless, or having difficulty paying their rent which, without our assistance may place them at risk of homelessness.”
According to Homelessness Australia 22,789 people are homeless in Victoria, a rise of 20.7 per 10,000 since 2006.
If you or someone you know needs assistance, DRERS can be contacted on 03 9754 7777 or on drers@optusnet.com.au.
