Homes getting harder to find for women fleeing violence
Homelessness in Australia is not discriminatory but is often a gendered issue; advocates are calling for solutions that acknowledge its connection to domestic violence.
Domestic and family violence is the leading cause of homelessness across Australia, affecting almost 67,000 women each year. Shelter services and women’s shelters cannot meet the demand and turn away half of them.
“Every woman we turn away is not just a statistic; she has her own life and her own story,” said Annabelle Daniel, executive director of Women’s Community Shelters. he said.
“The cycle of crisis and homelessness will continue until every woman and child has a safe bed when they need it. Safe beds save lives.”
A new community precinct in NSW’s most disadvantaged area hopes to tackle the region’s homelessness crisis.
Fairfield is ranked as NSW’s most disadvantaged local government area, with an estimated homeless population of more than 1500, according to Australian Bureau of Statistics data.
Oakdene House Foundation will open a laundromat in Fairfield, in addition to its existing women’s boutique and kitchen, to support those escaping financial hardship, homelessness or domestic violence.
The laundromat will provide a clean, convenient and dignified space, equipped with high-quality washing machines and dryers, and the organization plans to develop a men’s clothing pool to reflect the changing needs of the community.
Research conducted on World Homeless Day on October 10 has revealed widespread misconceptions about how Australians understand homelessness.
While more than 60 per cent of Australians can identify at least one element of the official ABS definition of homelessness, only 10 per cent are confident in defining it correctly, according to research by Orange Sky.
“Homelessness in Australia does not discriminate and is often hidden,” said Orange Sky chief executive Lucas Patchett.
“It’s the stereotype of being a bad sleeper, but the reality is that it affects people in a variety of ways: families living in overcrowded housing, teenagers couch surfing and people cycling in unsafe, short-term stays, to name just a few.”
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