By Tess McCracken
On the night of 2016 census, nearly 25,000 Victorians were homeless and 80,00 were waiting for social housing.
However, a lot has changed since 2016. Like the majority of the world, Victorians have battled through a historic pandemic. A pandemic that saw many struggling to keep their homes, losing their businesses and trying to combat the rising cost of living. Many still are today.
As a result, it is possible this number has increased and there are more Victorians needing help than ever before.
Yet, according to those working within the homeless sector, there has been a decrease in the number of homeless people accessing aid services within the state.
But numbers show, there isn’t a lack of need.
So, what is preventing Victorians from getting the help they need?
Chaelynne Weir, a volunteer at Matt’s Place, a community meals programme for the homeless and disadvantaged, says fears surrounding covid might actually be preventing people from reaching out for help.
As an employee of Bayside Church, Chaelynne also coordinates the distribution of food hampers every week, but says the demand for this service has diminished post COVID-19. In 2021 550 hampers were given out but as of September 14th 2022 the programme has only handed out approximately 250.
While for some Victorians in a steady financial position, the effects of covid are long gone with the lockdowns, but for Victorians with a low socio economic status unable to absorb the negative impacts of falling ill, it has quickly become imperative they retain the Covid safe protocols many have forgotten.
Even if it means going without the help they need.
Ambrose Brear helps coordinate the Emerald Hill Food Van and during COVID-19 lockdowns, co started ‘From the Socks Up’, an organisation dedicated to ensuring Victoria’s homeless community is provided with socks, underwear and other basic necessities.
Like Matt’s Place, Ambrose says the Emerald Hill Food Van has also seen a decrease in the number of individuals accessing their services and says habits formed during the height of the pandemic may be the reason why.
It is possible Victoria’s homeless population are staying away from community-based services, and as an already isolated community pre Covid, government sanctioned social distancing has exacerbated this sense of isolation as some forgo accessing aid services.
It is also likely financial stimulus from the Federal and Victorian Government have helped the financial situation of some of Victoria’s homeless population.
During the Inquiry Into Homelessness in Victoria, Jenny Smith, Chief Executive officer, Council to Homeless Persons told the Committee, “recent income support and other economic stimulus initiatives linked to COVID-19 have likely reduced the number of people who need to access support services.”
“Our services are seeing people who we otherwise would not have seen pre COVID-19 people at risk of homelessness who have lost their homes in this crisis. But do not underestimate how much greater the demand would be that we would be seeing without the doubling of JobSeeker… without the introduction of the range of protections and supports that we have seen in relation to tenancies,” she said.
While in some cases government stimulus has aided the financial positions of members of the homeless community, thousands of Victorians still need the help of community services, even if they aren’t accessing them.
Victoria must wait for the 2021 census results to fully understand how COVID-19 has contributed to Victoria’s rate of homelessness, and just how many Victorians are needing help.
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