Shining a light on homelessness

THIS week, I attended the Council to Homeless Persons Walk In Her Shoes exhibition and community forum to discuss homelessness in Geelong and the changes needed to end this complex issue.

I was honoured to speak at the event alongside Deborah Di Natale, chief executive of the Council to Homeless Persons as well as lived experience advocates, front line service providers and local MPs.

We heard about the challenges being faced locally as well as evidence-based solutions that can help end homelessness.

The Walk In Her Shoes exhibition is currently touring the state and tells the stories of three Victorian women who experienced homelessness at different stages of life: a young person, a mother and an older Victorian.

Their stories are all different, but together they paint a powerful picture of the many circumstances that can lead to homelessness and why finding solutions matters to all of us.

Importantly, the exhibition challenges some of the common misconceptions surrounding homelessness and encourages greater empathy and understanding.

Homelessness and access to social and affordable housing are among the most pressing and complex challenges our region faces.

On any given night in the City of Greater Geelong, more than 1,500 people are experiencing homelessness, with an additional 2,800 people officially classified as being at risk of housing insecurity.

Worse still, these numbers are based on data from the 2021 Census, so they likely represent only a fraction of today’s crisis, as cost-of-living pressures continue to drive new groups into homelessness, including people who are employed.

Locally, women, young people and First Nations people are significantly overrepresented within these figures.

Many people associate homelessness with male rough sleepers. But nearly 60 per cent of people coming to Victorian homelessness services last year were women.

According to Homelessness Australia, 45 per cent of women and girls seek homelessness support because they are leaving family and domestic violence situations.

Others may be impacted by housing affordability pressures, financial hardship, health challenges or relationship breakdowns.

Homelessness is a complex issue requiring compassion, sustained advocacy and coordinated, multi-agency action.

This is why conversations like those held through the Walk In Her Shoes community forum matter so much.

They help bring into the light experiences many of us are fortunate enough to be shielded from.

And while these stories are confronting, they represent real people in our community – our neighbours, friends, colleagues and in some cases members of our own families.

Progress requires increased social and affordable housing, early intervention, family violence support, culturally safe services and strong coordinated responses from government, community organisations and support services.

No single organisation, community group or level of government can solve this issue alone.

Addressing homelessness requires partnership, collaboration and a shared commitment to ensuring everyone has access to a safe and secure place to call home.

The Walk In Her Shoes exhibition is on display at Biyal-a Armstrong Creek Library from 11 to 17 June. Entry is free.

I encourage you all to take the time to visit the exhibition, hear these powerful stories and become part of the conversation.

Because when we better understand the experiences of others, we are better placed to build a stronger, more compassionate community for everyone.

Cr Emma Sinclair

Charlemont ward,

City of Greater Geelong