Wyndham welfare agencies have vowed to work together to keep people off the streets as the city’s eviction and homelessness rates reach a new high.
It is estimated that more than 420 people in Wyndham are homeless – up from 107 in 2001.
As reported by the Weekly, 263 people were evicted from rental properties between July 1, 2012 and June 30 last year, while 15.4 per cent of homeowners are experiencing mortgage stress.
The city’s welfare and support groups met with Lalor MP Joanne Ryan at Wayaperri House last Friday to discuss ways to tackle the problem. The agencies formed an alliance, known as H3 (for Health, Housing Homelessness), and reported that rising incidences of family violence, high levels of mortgage and rental stress and limited access to public transport and health services were leaving more people living in overcrowded houses or on the street. They have called on the state government to fund a crisis facility in Wyndham.
Currently, people in urgent need of somewhere to live are forced to move out of the municipality.
The alliance says the crisis hub would provide housing for families, single parents and couples for up to six weeks and provide access to support services.
Wyndham City Salvation Army’s Captain Lance Jeffrey said high housing costs meant no age group was immune to homelessness. He said there were more people aged in their 30s on the streets, in squats, ‘couch surfing’ or in caravans than younger age groups, and homelessness could happen quickly. “A couple living on the streets were in disbelief that until a month ago both were working, in a home and paying a mortgage; then one lost their job and that was it.”
Mr Jeffrey is also concerned about the emergence of a new group of homeless in Wyndham, reporting an increase in middle-aged and older people turning to the Salvation Army for help.
A couple in their 60s and a man in his 50s were sleeping rough in the street when they sought assistance. Another man and woman in their 60s were couch surfing because they had nowhere else to go, while a couple in their 70s were in temporary caravan accommodation.
Mr Jeffrey said older people on pensions could be evicted from rental properties if they were unable to pay increased rent.
Ms Ryan said she was concerned that Wyndham’s low public housing stock and state and federal government cuts to legal aid, tenancy services and affordable housing programs would exacerbate the problem.
“These are very serious issues that are having a huge impact upon our community.”
