Hoarding behaviour is a health threat and a danger that can be found anywhere – and that includes Brimbank.
An Albion resident and the Salvation Army Social Housing Service (SASHS) will host an information session about hoarding next month.
The session, at SASHS’ Sunshine office on February 19, will address the progressive mental condition and various pathways to help those struggling with hoarding behaviour and their families.
According to SASHS support co-ordinator Keith Hunte, the service gets several referrals a week from the Department of Human Services for tenants who have hoarding issues.
“We engage with them and conduct a safety check to see if there are working smoke detectors and safe exits [in their homes],” he said
Albion-based hoarding consultant Tania Reid has worked with people struggling with hoarding behaviour for the past six years, and says one in 20 households in Victoria are affected.
“Brimbank would have the same amount as anywhere else – it doesn’t discriminate to a particular area or group,” Ms Reid said.
“I’ve worked with doctors and lawyers who said it was their third winter without heating because they’re too embarrassed to let people in to fix it.”
Ms Reid said more than 90 per cent of those who hoard had another mental illness, usually anxiety or depression.
“Sometimes grief, loss or trauma can trigger a desire to collect or hold on to things for a sense of control or identity,” she said.
Ms Reid’s aim is to work with people to create safer, healthier homes. “There’s a significant fire risk associated with hoarding and squalor,” she said.
“It’s about bringing their home to a liveable state and one the person is happy to be part of.
I don’t go in with big skips and I never touch or remove anything. I want people to feel they’re in control and ensure they’re comfortable with what’s happening.”
The session at 6/147 Harvester Road, Sunshine, starts at 10am. For more information, phone 9312 5799.
