It probably won’t shock anyone who has walked down Swanston or Bourke Street in recent memory to know that Melbourne’s homelessness problem has grown at a worrying rate over the last few years. Cardboard signs with stories of misfortune as well as those imploring passersby to lend a hand litter the streets. Today alone I was asked if I could spare change for food three times. Increasingly, it is beginning to seem like there is an endless number of people sleeping rough in our community.
A city survey conducted earlier this year has now put a number on that increase.
StreetCount, an initiative of the City of Melbourne Council, counted a total of 247 “rough sleepers” living on the streets of Melbourne on the night of June 7 2016. In this context, a rough sleeper is defined as someone who is sleeping outdoors or in a makeshift shelter not fit for human use. 75% of these people were recorded as sleeping on the streets of the central city, the area bordered by Spring Street, Victoria Street, Spencer Street and the Yarra River. 16% of the 120 surveyed rough sleepers reported that they had been sleeping in the same spot for over a year. The majority of people who had applied for public housing had been told the wait was over two years. And perhaps the most startling statistic to come from the study, there has been an increase of 74% of the amount of people sleeping rough from the last StreetCount, conducted only two years ago.
Source: City of Melbourne, StreetCount
Along with these statistics also comes the worry that this is just the tip of the iceberg – the council has acknowledged that it is entirely possible some rough sleepers were missed in the count.
Encouragingly, as the number of rough sleepers have hit emergency levels, services for the disadvantaged have appeared all over the city, offering hot showers and temporary accomodation. However, food remains one of the most simple and important needs for those sleeping rough. Traditionally, the easiest and cheapest food for the homeless to source and for the generous to provide has been fast food. Quick meals that cost a few dollars, yet unfortunately are also lacking any nutritional value required to qualify the food as a passably healthy meal or longterm solution.
But thankfully, fast food is not the only option. 72% of rough sleepers surveyed in the StreetCount reported that they would or do make use of free or cheap meal services. Many are aware of the different food programs run by more reputable groups such as St Vincent De Paul. Less recognised and utilised are the host of other venues around Melbourne who provide food to those experiencing homelessness or financial difficulty. Many of these venues are open at varying hours to accomodate different meal times, and cater to a variety of dietary needs or preferences such as vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free. Seperate venues for different genders and age groups also exist for the maximum comfort of the patron. Offering hot nutritious food and human interaction, these venues work to create a sense of community for those sleeping rough.
Compiled from a City of Melbourne list of community food venues, below is a map of some of the venues and organisations around the city offering cheap or free meals for those sleeping rough.
[Google_Maps_WD id=2 map=2]Source: Data Victoria
If you or someone you know is experiencing homelessness, call Opening Doors on 1800 825 955 to speak to a housing and support worker.
