Everybody Needs a Home

By Rev Sandy Boyce

Posted Aug  3, 2021 in News

Homelessness Week is held annually in the first week of August, and is an opportunity to raise awareness of people experiencing homelessness, the issues they face and the action needed to achieve enduring solutions.

Homelessness robs people of dignity and self-worth. The experience of homelessness, even for short periods, can have serious, long-term effects on a person’s mental and physical health. It can contribute to premature ageing through earlier onset of health problems more commonly associated with later life.

Over the last decade, the number of older homeless people increased by 49%. Women make up a large number of those living with homelessness, largely due to family and domestic violence. As well, relationship breakdowns, financial difficulty and limited superannuation can put older women at risk of homelessness.

People living with mental health issues or disability, Aboriginal people, LGBTI+ people, and people leaving prison may be particularly vulnerable to homelessness. More recently, refugees waiting for their visas to be processed have joined those at risk of homelessness. They have no financial safety net, and many find it difficult to find work because of language issues, and a lack of local references or known work histories.

The recent changes in State funding in the homelessness sector have caused considerable upset, with the transition period literally being overnight - from established service providers and agencies, to an 'alliance' of agencies on 1st July. The competitive tendering process meant that some trusted long-term agencies in the homelessness sector missed out on fresh Government funding, which has translated to services being reduced at a time of increasing need, and in the middle of winter. The change is confusing for those living with homelessness and the lack of information available to them is a very real concern.

This year's Homelessness Week theme is Everybody needs a home. Housing is a fundamental human right, but the lack of affordable housing for low income earners leaves people at risk of homelessness. Years of inadequate investment has left Australia facing a shortfall of an estimated 433,000 social housing dwellings.

The welfare of people living with homelessness is an issue that should concern us all as is the more profound question about why homelessness exists at all. Our Christian faith holds up service as an inescapable response to the Gospel, and to be advocates for justice for the homeless and disadvantaged.

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