Data from Beyond Housing paints a stark picture of homelessness in the Seymour region, with over 350 people experiencing or at risk of homelessness in 2023-24.
This revelation comes just before Homelessness Week, set to run from Monday, August 5 to Sunday, August 11.
The figures show that of the 382 individuals seeking support, nearly two-thirds were women. A significant number were older Australians, with 88 aged 55 and over.
The data also highlights the plight of those on disability support, with 81 individuals in this category seeking assistance.
Young people weren’t spared either, with 53 aged between 17 and 25 reaching out for help.
A whopping 164 people approached the region’s primary homelessness access point for the first time, underscoring the escalating nature of Seymour’s housing crisis.
The statistics on rough sleeping are equally alarming, with 19 individuals reported sleeping in the open, at caravan parks or couch-surfing.
Seventeen were forced to sleep in cars, while 11 resorted to tents.
Eight others found themselves in makeshift dwellings such as sheds.
These numbers underscore the urgent need for robust support and housing solutions in Seymour, particularly for vulnerable groups such as older adults, women and youth.
Beyond Housing chief executive Celia Adams said the statistics underscored a crisis that has been escalating for years despite the warnings from service providers such as Beyond Housing.
“The data also highlights the grave and disproportionate impact on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, who make up more than eight per cent of the homeless population despite being only three per cent of the general population,” she said.
“This persistent neglect and lack of action is unacceptable."
The theme for Homelessness Week 2024, ‘Homelessness Action Now’, calls for urgent action on these pressing issues and the changes necessary to ensure everyone has access to safe, secure and affordable housing.
“We need substantial investments in social housing, increased JobSeeker payments, higher rent assistance and incentives for affordable private rentals and key worker housing,” Ms Adams said.
“We must act now to address this crisis head-on."
While Beyond Housing is building 57 new social housing properties across the region over the next two years in Wollert, Euroa and Wallan, Ms Adams said it wasn’t enough to meet the growing demand for safe, secure and affordable housing.
“We need a sustained commitment to significantly increase social housing,” she said.
“Without this, we will see even more people forced into unsafe and unstable living conditions.
“Governments at all levels must make the construction of new social housing a top priority beyond the current election cycle. The time for action is now.”