EXPERTS say problem gambling and family violence are underpinning increased homelessness in Brimbank and the north-west.
Figures released for last week’s National Homeless Persons Week showed the number of homeless people in the Calwell electorate, including Sydenham and Keilor, increased from 561 in 2006 to 861 in 2011.
Figures for Gorton, including Hillside, Taylors Hill, Cairnlea and Derrimut were up from 496 to 760 in the same period. The number of homeless people in Maribyrnong, including St Albans, increased from 494 in 2006 to 712 in 2011.
Doutta Galla Community Health Service program manager Brian Sanderson said prevention was always better than cure when tackling homelessness.
“Problem gambling, family violence, the increase in rent – these all add to housing stress, especially for women and the elderly,” he said.
“Homeless groups can be hidden and don’t always get full access to services they need.”
As reported by the Weekly, poker machine expenditure is on the decline in Brimbank but remains among the highest in Victoria, with $137.63 million spent in 2012-13.
Council to Homeless Persons chief executive Jenny Smith said state and federal governments needed to invest in new services in Brimbank to prevent homelessness before it starts.
“We need to maintain our efforts, particularly in inner Melbourne, where we continue to see large numbers of people experiencing homelessness,” she said.
“Homelessness is now emerging as a pressing problem in areas where it has not been a focus in the past, particularly on the outskirts of Melbourne.”
