You may find it annoying to have to make your bed - but spare a thought for those with no bed to make. There are 105, 000 people in Australia right now who don't know where they will sleep tonight. http://actnow.com.au/Issues/Homelessness_in_Australia.aspx Tue, 22 Jun 2010 02:56:40 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://rss-net.sf.net/ What do you think are the complex issues that homeless older Australians face everyday? Tue, 22 Jun 2010 02:56:40 GMT What do you think are the complex issues that homeless older Australians face everyday? Tue, 22 Jun 2010 02:56:31 GMT Hey all, I'm apart of the Sydney Uni Muslims Students Asc, We along with our partner societies wanted to host a 'Feed the Homeless' event in the current running month of Ramadan. We currently have the man power and the funding but just need a place which has facilities and where homeless people are aware off. Would anyone be able to point me in the right direction. Cheers, Ammar Habib 0423315981 Mon, 24 Aug 2009 12:01:42 GMT Tue, 07 Oct 2008 01:07:02 GMT Just thought I would post a link for the National youth commisions inquiry into youth homelessness: http://www.nyc.net.au/files/Australias_Homeless_Youth.pdf Its very insightful indeed :) Wed, 23 Apr 2008 02:55:49 GMT Just thought I would post a link for the National youth commisions inquiry into youth homelessness: http://www.nyc.net.au/files/Australias_Homeless_Youth.pdf Its very insightful indeed :) Wed, 23 Apr 2008 02:55:44 GMT Yeh Rita I think flyers stating where soup kitchens and other places where homeless people can go find help is a great solution or at least a start. What is really terrible is the rising of youth homelessness. These kids are so lost and alone that they need so much help as well. They are so vulnerable that they can be easily exploited we need to promote safety houses again. I remember when i was in primary school seeing the adds on tv about safety houses and the signs outside of schools but these days you hear nothing about them. I think they should re-promote safety houses as a place where youth can go to get care and learn what they can do to help themselves. Thu, 31 Jan 2008 05:06:21 GMT I agree with you Millina! More needs to be done in tackling the cause of homelessness. I've always wondered whether or not enough homeless people on the streets know enough about where and how to get help though... How can we make them more aware?... After a short discussion with other interns- there was an idea that it might be worthwhile to advertise (eg. using flyers) the whereabouts of relevant organisations, soup kitchens etc in areas where the majority of homeless people choose to take shelter... Any other ideas or thoughts? Thu, 03 Jan 2008 03:21:22 GMT I remember that during the 2000 Olympics, a band aid was put over the issue where all the homeless were swept under the rug and shoved into temporary shelters to make our city look better. What I think needs to be happen is for the relevant authorities to recognise and address the problems that are causing people to live on the streets (such as mental illness, relationship breakdowns etc) to tackle the root of the problems causing homelessness. Wed, 02 Jan 2008 23:06:10 GMT Thank you for posting such a 'hidden' subject, I guess the majority of people do not understand the ferocity of being homeless. I live in Brisbane in the 'burbs and haven't seen a homeless person in years, the issue is more or less swept under the carpet. I believe the issue grows from a shame that the rich and even the every day citizens have of the homeless. I am an advertising student and am currently researching an issue of this matter for a campaign so thank you for the valuable information. Mon, 17 Sep 2007 04:05:54 GMT Nice point about 'The Big Issue', I've always considered buying it but was unsure whether it'd appeal to me but I'll definitely grab it next time I'm at Central station. In terms of homelessness and the economy: the government did actually attempt to step in: around the Olympics the government got all the homeless people in the city and payed for their stay in hotels for those few weeks, after the Olympics they sent everyone back out again. A band-aid solution in my opinion more concerned about hiding the problem than actually addressing the issue. And most of "these" people are not sick, rather there are a multitude of reasons as to why they have no place to live and therefore linger around the city. This is an issue that should be tackled from a practical perspective i.e.: providing more shelters, Mission Australia has this service called: Mission Beat which provides transport for homeless people wanting to get from place to place. More money should be invested in getting people off the street and giving them opportunities to do courses or to find employment. There's no simple solution but there is certainly more that can be done by both state and federal governments as well as people in general. There are always volunteering opportunities within organisations such as Mission Australia that aim to tackle and resolve homelessness in particular areas Wed, 22 Aug 2007 05:35:03 GMT Um yeah sure Maddog5. I am hoping you are actually just trying to annoy people and do not seriously believe that it is that easy to escape homelessness. I now work in a youth refuge and understand how deep rooted this issue is. Its just not that easy mate. People are homeless for a reason. Many reasons usually that range from abuse, sexualt assault and addictions. I suggest you help out at a soup kitchen to truely appreciate the everyday lives of people without a place to stay. Mon, 20 Aug 2007 15:38:51 GMT How bout homeless ppl go get a job, earn sum money and they wont be homeless 4 much longer Fri, 03 Aug 2007 04:09:19 GMT I reckon the government should do something about the homeless people in Australia. Most of these people are sick and scare a lot of people away. If they had somewhere they could get cleaned up, sleep and get help to get a job it will be better for you, me, everyone. They sit around the city outside shops and you always see shop owners trying to get them to move. That is effecting our economy and the government should step in. Tue, 31 Jul 2007 02:42:36 GMT Well I haven't paid rent for a month or more I'm couch surfing And I don't have a key cause I don't have a door I'm couch surfing I'm not answering questions I'm between houses Of my material possessions I've lost track I didn't need them Everything I need fits in my backpack I call it freedom A pair of jeans some shirts and a guitar lead A toothbrush, socks and a paperback reader All the rest is what's hanging off of me And I'm not taking calls I'm between houses Outside the night is dark and stormy And you blew up the air mattress for me We'll talk all night like an open book And I'll sleep on every breath you took Before you leave I'll sneak a look up at you But there's an old saying that could bare retelling When you're couch surfing: 'the guest should leave before the fish starts smelling' When your couch surfing It's romantically existential To reduce your life to the bare essential All that which is inconsequential guides me But this whole theory really depends On weather or not you've got good friends And all this weightlessness the philosopher preach Reduces you to societies leach But tonight i've landed on my feet I'm still one friend away from the bum on the street And i've used up all my good will vouchers On every single friend with couches It won't be long before they'll ask me to leave It's time i cut myself some keys Give me a pen i'll sign a lease and go get me a home -Darren Hanlon Tue, 03 Jul 2007 09:25:27 GMT I bought 'The Big Issue' (finally) for the first time time the other day, it's $4 ($2 goes to the person you buy it off, most if not all of the vendors are homeless). It was about the most refreshing thing I've read recently. It's out fortnightly and I will be buying the next issue. Highly Recommended! Tue, 26 Jun 2007 11:18:04 GMT Read the book "Matthew Flinders Cat" by Bryce Courtenay and you learn a lot about homelessness in Australia. While it is far worse in other countries, it is still awful! It is disgraceful that we live in one of the wealthiest cities in the world, and you walk around town and you see homeless people EVERYWHERE. Any night of the week you'll see them on park benches in hyde park, on the steps at sydney university law school or under a tree in Martin Place. Surely, something can be done. While welfare is available, many do not have bank accounts. Others do not know how to ask for help, and when they do, how many of us walk straight past thinking 'get a job'. It isn't easy out there. I think we need more homeless shelters and to dig deep to help the Salvos. Thu, 07 Jun 2007 09:24:35 GMT I agree with Jelstrup but it is alsotrue that a lot of the time the services provided have limited accomodation and whe the places fill up it's a first in first served basis, so either they rotate members nightly or some just miss out. And just nit picking, can I ask that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aren't singled out in the article? Coz I would say people from ANY cultural backgroud are homeless. And I agree with the inherentness of the issue Also many people who are homeless are so from mental illness and their drug addiction is largely a 'self-medicating' gesture, where, say if it were schizophrenia, it makes them feel ok and stops some of the symptoms. And these disorders can be truly horrifying, I was talking to a man involved with many such cases and he was talking about the main medicinal drugs used to treat bad cases. The first's affect being it completely wipes out users making them practically a vegetable... the second has a strange affect in their mind the patient is sitting still but their legs think they are moving so they constantly shake, vegetable or out of control of your body? My favourite thing was when asked about going into a 'care' they said "well... there's not much to look forward to unless you like the taste of crap" Sun, 29 Apr 2007 08:10:46 GMT there are too many homeless people in australia, i am in Geelong Victoria Australia and i want to open a homeless shelter to help.. anyone with ideas want to help etc please email me a roygreen@vic.chariot.net.au Wed, 11 Apr 2007 12:31:00 GMT I have taken my time to speak with homeless people over a coffe or lunch, i have heard the most horrific stories about there up bringing, why they have no home, what they do at night, the abuse they go through. Treat people how you want to be treated , If you were homeless would you like having people looking at you liek you were a peice of dirt? no i didn't think so. These people may have substance or alcohol abuse, but can you really blame them? Imagine having no comfort, no food, no home, no security, no LOVE! i can understand why they feel the need to drink or do drugs, it keeps them warm and stops there thoughts. They have nothing to wake up to the next day, no one respects them. its not fair, these people are degraded by sociaty when it is sociaty itself that drove these people to the streets. the governemt needs to spend more time funding for homelessness, there needs to be more beds, more free food places. and sociaty as a whole needs to realize these people have feelings too and have gone through so much pain and need love liek any one else. lydia Thu, 07 Dec 2006 03:35:35 GMT There is one very important aspect to homelessness that most of us lucky non-homeless people don't really realize. Homeless people in Australia (and most western countries) are not homeless because of a lack of housing. Generally the government provides some sort of accommodation for people who have left or lost their homes. So why then are homeless people still homeless? There is a problem (they have no home) the government provides a solution (they produce a unit). Problem solved. If these people are homeless it must be because they choose to be..... Yes, that's an easy way out for the complacent. The aspect that we overlook is that living on the street is not the ACTUAL problem. At least, it's not the cause. Most homeless people are homeless because they don't fit into our conventional concept of "having a home", "being at home", "creating a home", which often involves a high degree of loneliness. They simply can't cope with that kind of lifestyle. And that is the root of the problem and until the system learns to accommodate people who wish to lead a more sociable life, where support and companionship is at hand, there will always be homeless people. Start with the cause, not the result. Because the homeless want more than life in a lonesome unit, and who can blame them..? Wed, 06 Dec 2006 10:59:04 GMT Homelessness shouldn't really be too much of a big deal, anyway. It's really quite a travesty that it is so big of a deal. As the first line of Amy's article states- adequate housing is a human right. Not to mention all the other related human rights- self-determination, right to health, and so on. Each person has a right to these things, and each state has an obligation to provide them. It's a terrible shame that basic facts such as these aren't mentioned more often- it really is the first and last stop, the bottom line. Homelessness should not be an option; certainly not in a, 'developed,' country such as this. How quickly our leaders forget their obligations; a home, safety and security is not a privillige, we have not been extended a favour if we have access to one. Tue, 21 Nov 2006 06:12:02 GMT Check out Josie's awesome story , she did some amazing stuff to draw attention to homelessness in Aus.....she is an inspirational example and someone I am proud to know!!!! http://www.actnow.com.au/Stories/Actions_Speak_Louder_Than_Words.aspx misshannah..... Tue, 21 Nov 2006 05:48:34 GMT Josie - I completely agree with your point. I've seen a homeless woman I know transform - not just trying to exist till the next day, but with dreams and life goals: because she has hope. I think this is because a few people came along and treated her with the respect and courtesy that every human deserves, gave her self-respect and hope. I always notice that this Issue of Homelessness is highlighted as being a Hot Topic. Yes, we can do what we can to help individual homeless people we know, (Once I gave this homeless woman the contact details for her nearest homeless refuge. Not sure whether she'd ever tried it, or had access to the information before, but I gave it a go, and then it was in her hands.) but I think it could be beneficial to question the social structures which put these people on the street in the first place. Can we look into our welfare system, or mental health system, the help available to those suffering domestic violence, or addictions, who fall through these gaps in the system, who cannot get help? Can we not write to ministers of Parliament and question what is being done about these issues? The number of homeless young people across Australia (aged 12-18) on any one night is 26,000. Please fix my maths, but my scrawlings estimate that 1 in every 100 kids is homeless. I don't think we need to look too far to find someone we personally know affected by homelessness. How many kids in your grade at school had nowhere to go? ( How do I know this? http://www.youthfacts.com.au/index.php?option=displaypage&Itemid=219&op=page) Fri, 13 Oct 2006 09:22:59 GMT Another way to help ... just talk to a homeless person - reach out, give them the time of day and the respect and human dignity they deserve. There's a person beneath the surface and you'll find they really appreciate it when someone stops and cares. Mon, 09 Oct 2006 05:21:35 GMT I think one of the main reasons of homelessness is money. As prices are rising in many things, homeless people find it harder. I think many people, when they see a homeless person on the streets, they just think, he/she is a bum who can't be bothered getting a job, but people don't know. For all we know, they could have been disoned at a very young age. I once was in Melbourne and saw a homeless person. He was sleeping on a park bench. I think that most homeless people would defiantly not want to live like this and people are just being selfish. I think that maybe that if just occasionly people will give them just a bit of spare change, things will start to improve. Thu, 14 Sep 2006 11:48:06 GMT Buying the Big Issue is a big action but easy. But like Tanja said, its not just buying the mag but chatting to the person selling it. With homelessness comes social exclusion, so lets reverse that and talk to the people that are homeless. If you want some action ideas for how to help a homeless person checkout the things to do part of this page. Fri, 11 Nov 2005 05:44:34 GMT Good Stuff Tanja! Yeah as a social worker I have learnt all about the deinstitutionalisation of mentally ill people. It is a policy that has caused a lot of grief in so many different systems of society, but of course for the people who had no where to go. Thanks for explaining the history though. Fri, 11 Nov 2005 01:03:03 GMT I forgot - an awesome and easy thing to do to help out is to buy the Big Issue. It's a great magazine with some really positive content and interesting stories, and half the proceeds go directly to the seller, to help them earn some money so they can live more independantly. Make friends with your local seller - they'll give you a big insight into another world and way of thinking. Fri, 11 Nov 2005 00:57:28 GMT In the 1970's the government decided that it was a good idea to reform the mental health system. They thought it would be more beneficial for people's mental health if they were living in and engaging with the community, rather than being isolated in psychological institutions. Theoretically a really good idea, but unfortunately, community service provision and support for these people was inadequate when the institutions finally were closed, so many people with mental health difficulties just ended up on the streets - without employment/housing assistance etc. This is one reason why many homeless people do have mental illnesses, and a good example of a government social policy having negative effects on the people it was supposed to help. Today, there are heaps of organisations doing everything they can to help homeless people. One thing you can try and do is just be aware of how you react to them. It's easy to judge and criticise - actively challenging your own thoughts on this and trying to view them with a bit of compassion is a big action in itself! Just remember that these people have all had families and other lives too - they are someone's son, daughter, brother or sister. Fri, 11 Nov 2005 00:54:16 GMT