Homelessness is not just sleeping rough in a doorway in the CBD.

 

It’s here in our community.

 

More and more, those without a secure roof over their head are women. There are many reasons why they have become homeless. For the women I spoke with, some had fled abusive relationships, others had fractured families, or they were battling mental health or addiction issues. They may simply have lost their job or have medical problems. Many older women are finding themselves with no superannuation, no work prospects and, like many, have been priced out of the private rental market.

 

These women and children are our family and friends. They are couch surfing or sleeping in our spare rooms, or stuck in boarding houses or temporary housing. Or they may be sleeping rough or dossing in their cars.

 

In Victoria there are 82,000 people on the public housing waiting list ..

 

25,000 Victorians are homeless on any given night.

 

  - Ponch Hawkes