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Community event supports those doing it tough

THE community are feeling the sting of rising costs with eight per cent of people in the Bass Coast experiencing hardship or housing stress resulting in homelessness. Housing Matters Bass Coast (HMBC) is continuing to advocate for more affordable...

by Sentinel-Times

Published August 15, 2023

Community event supports those doing it tough — Cr Leticia Laing, Jessica Harrison of Housing Matters Bass Coast, and Mayor Cr Michael Whelan together helped raise homelessness awareness and support those most vulnerable. Z29_3323

THE community are feeling the sting of rising costs with eight per cent of people in the Bass Coast experiencing hardship or housing stress resulting in homelessness.

Housing Matters Bass Coast (HMBC) is continuing to advocate for more affordable housing.

HMBC held an open event on Saturday, inviting the community to the Wonthaggi Neighbourhood Centre at Mitchell House, raising homelessness awareness and supporting those most vulnerable in the community.

Founding member of HMBC Jessica Harrison said our groups been together since 2019, we’re full of passion and enthusiasm, which is why we created this event for homelessness week 2023.

“When referring to ‘housing stress’, this means paying over 30% of income on rent. Already today we have welcomed in individuals, and families who are sleeping in their cars or sleeping in a tent.

These are people within our community, and we want them to know we are here to help.”

Volunteers from Wonthaggi Surf Life Saving Club, Rotary Club of Wonthaggi and HMBC were directing those most vulnerable to support services for food relief and essentials, as well as handing out free clothing, blankets, and bread – generously donated by local businesses and members of the community.

To support HMBC and their advocacy, a petition ‘Open Letter to Jordan Crugnale, MP for Bass’ was on display for signatures – some signing ‘no address’.

Jessica stresses that homelessness in Victoria has reached a crisis point and housing affordability continues to decline, with many people, for many different reasons, at different times of their lives, need housing support.

The open letter demanded action from state government, requested to treble the current level of public and community housing stock over the next 10 years - this means adding to the existing 374 dwelling in Bass Coast by at least 112 new dwellings per year. Reduce the rental stress by delivering more stability – long term for tenants and amend state planning legislation to allow for more public and community housing.

Mayor Cr Michael Whelan supported the event, stating that Bass Coast is looking to have 36 houses out of the Public Housing Bill, saying “it’s not enough, but a good start.”

Bass Coast Shire Council have developed a Social and Affordable Housing Strategy in response to the housing insecurity in Bass Coast and will welcome community feedback in the consultation process.

“The biggest cohort of homeless people is older single women, and one of the things that drives homelessness is domestic violence. We need to recognise that these are our neighbours, and as a community we need to get on board to demand to different levels of government that we’re getting the appropriate attention to try and rectify the problem.”

Wonthaggi Neighbourhood Centre at Mitchell House and HMBC are collectively assisting those needing urgent food relief, housing, and support, with local services available for immediate assistance.

If you or someone you know are in immediate need for support services, the following are available: