The number of homeless people living in Wyndham has increased by 76 per cent within five years, according to new statistics.
Last week, the Australian Bureau of Statistics released homelessness figures from the 2016 Census which showed there were 730 homeless people in Wyndham, up from 414 homeless people during the 2011 Census.
This included 250 homeless people in the Werribee area, 132 in Tarneit and 109 in Hoppers Crossing.
Out of all Victoria’s municipalities, Greater Dandenong recorded the highest number of homeless people in the census, with 1942 residents sleeping rough.
Melbourne City Mission (MCM) chief executive Vicki Sutton said the organisation was particularly concerned about the state’s rate of youth homelessness, with 9742 Victorians aged 25 and below recorded as sleeping rough.
Ms Sutton said this was not surprising for staff from MCM, who run Frontyard Youth Service, which provides support to young people experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness.
Ms Sutton said that for every 20 young people who visited Frontyard, there was only one supported accommodation place available.
“We have 40 or 50 young people per day coming into our offices at Frontyard,” Ms Sutton said.
But Ms Sutton there was some positive news for young homeless people in Wyndham.
Last year, the state government announced it would provide $3.5 million to build the Wyndham Foyer, which will provide supported accommodation for young people aged between 16 to 24.
Ms Sutton said the government made the announcement after advocacy from Wyndham council, MCM and other local services.
She said the foyer, which will likely be built in Werribee, would give young people a place to live for up to two years, while they finished their education, gained employment experience and learned life skills.
Ms Sutton said the Wyndham Foyer would open in 2020.
MCM will hold its annual Sleep at the ‘G fundraising campaign on May 17.
To find out more visit www.sleepattheg.com.au
