New data shows the number of metropolitan Melbourne families entering the homelessness system for the first time is on the rise, with single parents and low-income households propelled into crisis by record-low rental affordability.
The latest figures from Launch Housing, one of Victoria's largest specialist homelessness support and community housing providers, has revealed the number of children and young people needing their help has increased 20% during the past five years.
The organisation helped almost 1,600 children and young people, including some 400 children living with their families in emergency or crisis accommodation during the past year.
"Each of these people are starting out their lives experiencing first-hand the trauma of not having a safe and stable place to call home, and the gravity of that is something that everyone in our community should take a moment to reflect on,” said Launch Housing Homelessness Solutions and Impact executive director Laura Mahoney said.
"From watching their caregivers negotiate the homelessness service system, to lacking the right resources to show up to school, to the fear and uncertainty associated with living in a place that is unsafe or unstable, these early experiences have a lasting impact.”
Last year Launch Housing received 8,000 contacts from people seeking financial support to maintain their private rentals, up from 5,100 the previous year.
Financial support could only be provided to 28% of those who contacted the organisation.
The risk of homelessness has increased for some Melbournian groups on the back of the rent crunch and cost of living pressures. Picture: Getty
Two thirds of those supported were women, with single-parent households the largest group of people who received financial assistance to maintain their tenancy in a private rental.
"These thousands of requests for support represent households living with the unrelenting stress of housing insecurity and the risk of homelessness, a pressure that weighs down heavily on people raising children on a single income in the midst of a rental affordability and cost of living crisis," Ms Mahoney said.
Gambia-born single mum Brenda, who's surname has been withheld to protect her identity, and her two children, aged 9 and 21, were among the many Melbourne families who have received practical assistance to maintain their private unit rental and financial support to clear rent arrears.
“I called them and they helped me pay the rent for that month,” she said.
“I would be on the streets (if it weren’t for their help). They do a great job and what they did for me… when they paid the rent for me, I was able to buy enough food.”
Launch Housing also helped Brenda’s daughter successfully navigate the process of applying for Centrelink Youth Allowance.
The additional income helped make their property more affordable and took some pressure off their rental stress.
The family were also referred to other support services including St Vincent de Paul, Emergency Relief for Bayside Community Members, Good Shepherd No-Interest Loans (NILS) and OzHarvest Food Relief for Individuals.
More than 122,000 people experience homelessness and housing insecurity on any given night, according to 2021 census figures. Picture: Supplied
Launch Housing are continuing to support Brenda and her family with advice and information to secure a more affordable private rental.
Launch Housing is calling for greater public investment in affordable, appropriate, and supported social housing for families and young people, in addition to programs that integrate education.
The call for more education, awareness and resources to support people at risk of or experiencing homelessness comes after the Australian property industry rallied together for the issue throughout October and November.
More than $1 million was raised through the inaugural A Night Without Home initiative, with funds going to charities who support people experiencing homelessness as a result of domestic and family violence.
It’s the first initiative for the recently launched A Home for All Foundation, which was established to build on the real estate sector's ongoing advocacy and action to tackle homelessness in Australia.
More than 122,000 people experience homelessness and housing insecurity on any given night according to 2021 census figures, with one in 10 Aussies just a single setback away from losing their home.
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