As the weather starts to cool, it’s time to hunker down and get set for the long winter. But for many without homes, that’s a comfort not afforded to them. There are currently 64 people known to be homeless on any given night in the Mount Alexander Shire, and more than 200 families are seeking assistance for the housing crisis.

While Victorians represent 27 per cent of Australia’s total of people experiencing homelessness, the Mount Alexander Shire figures are over 30 per cent. What’s understood from these figures is that the true number is likely much higher. Cost of living has skyrocketed, and access to affordable housing is almost non-existent. Numerous factors have coalesced to create a perfect storm, and it’s leaving many people vulnerable in its wake.

Captain of the Maldon Fire Brigade Sean McCubbin says, “As a community, we have to look after our most vulnerable. Everyone is doing it tough – or might be one day – and we all have a responsibility to find solutions.”

Many factors contribute to homelessness, including a lack of affordable housing, rising costs of living, and family and domestic violence. People on low or single incomes are less likely to find suitable and affordable housing and more likely to experience homelessness. The problem affects people of all ages and backgrounds, with four populations – elders, people living with disability, Indigenous people and sole parents – disproportionately affected.

At a community housing forum presented by My Home Network held last Sunday at the Town Hall in Castlemaine, three tiers of government came together to discuss ways that they are committed to addressing the crisis, now and into the foreseeable future.

Mount Alexander Shire Mayor Rosie Annear said, “This kind of allyship is rare. The council and the community are all aligned on this issue.”

Other government officials in attendance were Federal Bendigo MP Lisa Chesters, Bendigo West State MP Maree Edwards, the council’s Housing Officer Clare Richards and Strategic Planning Coordinator Lauren Watt. Each representative spoke passionately about the worsening crisis and the dire need to address the issue from multiple angles.

A critical factor in confronting the issue is tackling stigma.

“Everyone has a role to play in that,” says MP Chesters. “Homelessness can and does happen to anyone, whether previously middle-class or not. Life circumstances can change in unforeseeable ways.”

Homelessness and the risk of homelessness can profoundly affect a person’s mental and physical health, with cascading consequences impacting their ability to participate fully in society. Compassion is needed to understand that while meeting a need, building social housing in our region will bring untold benefits to our diverse community.

From the perspective of a first responder, Sean McCubbin is keen to see change that helps mitigate the potential risks taken as a result of not having access to basic services. Cooking over gas inside a caravan with no fire alarm of flue is one such example. Sean says that the mental health toll on emergency workers faced with avoidable disaster scenarios is significant.

“I just hope it doesn’t take a tragedy for us to realise that we need to get involved,” Sean said.

“It’s in all of our best interests to brainstorm solutions, especially in the immediate short term, while people are really doing it rough.”

My Home Network is one such enterprise facing the challenge. Coordinated by Dhelkaya Health, it has a database of over 115 people which includes lived experience of homelessness and the housing crisis, community members with many years of expertise in the delivery of social and innovative housing programs and a diverse range of relevant networks and community and government organisations.

MHN advocates for greater housing support to vulnerable people in the community and increased and improved crisis, transition, social and affordable housing provisions. The network also explores innovative solutions with local community members to meet long-term housing needs and reduce housing stress.

One idea being explored is called a Home Share Model, which brings together older householders who could benefit from companionship and some help to stay independent, with a home sharer who can assist in that care arrangement in return for affordable accommodation.

The council recently called for residents of Maldon and Newstead with an interest in housing to join a Community Reference Group. The group will work with the council and play an essential role in two new long-term planning projects while helping to foster a constructive collaboration between the Council and the community.

Other ideas for community contributions include volunteering your skills, time and knowledge, whether as a cook, tradesperson, architect or by helping people complete housing register applications. If you own or have access to spare rooms, empty homes, or above shop dwellings and can make them available for crisis, medium or long term rent, please reach out to the council. Consider listing your rental with a not-for-profit real estate agent who donate profits to the cause. If you are in a position to, consider donating land, property or cash for use towards appropriate and affordable housing developments. 

We all have a role to play in looking after our most vulnerable community members, and finding solutions to address homelessness. Everyone has a right to safe, affordable and secure housing, so it’s crucial we take action now to create a better future for us all.

For more information, head to shape.mountalexander.vic.gov.au or My Home Network at cch.org.au.

This article appeared in the Tarrangower Times, 28 April 2023.