By Cameron Tait
Wyndham’s housing support groups have been given a cash lifeline after the federal government agreed to extend funding for another two years.
Ending months of uncertainty, the government has committed $230 million to extend the national partnership agreement on homelessness until 2017, with priority for frontline services to focus on women and children experiencing domestic and family violence and on homeless youth aged under 18.
The present agreement had been due to expire in June this year and ongoing funding comes after crime statistics revealed that more family violence is reported in Wyndham than anywhere in the western suburbs.
In February, Homelessness Australia warned that tens of thousands of homeless clients would be abandoned without the funding.
Recent statistics classify 420 people as being homeless in Wyndham.
The H3 Alliance, a partnership of local health, housing and homelessness organisations, has proposed an early intervention and service hub for Wyndham, which would ensure much- needed crisis and emergency accommodation and specialist support.
The group recently sought support for the H3 project from state Treasurer and Werribee MP Tim Pallas ahead of May’s state budget.
Werribee Support and Housing chief executive Carol Muir said there was an enormous “sense of relief” across the sector after federal funds were re-secured, with its focus
on victims of family violence being an important step.
“At least 80 per cent of our clients are experiencing or have experienced family violence,” she said. “It [homelessness] is a hidden problem – nobody really knows the real number.”
Wyndham City Salvation Army captain Lance Jeffrey said homelessness was a major problem.
“Many people have an ‘out of sight, out of mind’ attitude towards homelessness but, whether you’re on the streets or in emergency or temporary accommodation, in a tent or car, it’s a terrible way to live. We need to do everything we can to support as many people as possible back into independent living.”
