By Lauren Henry

Cost-of-living and a decline in housing availability is resulting in a rise in homelessness in the Wimmera.

Uniting Vic-Tas Wimmera is experiencing an increase in demand for people seeking support across its services as people and families reach financial breaking point.  

There has been a visible increase in homeless people living on the streets of Horsham, and Uniting Vic-Tas Wimmera manager Katrina Scimone said Stawell also had a strong demand for homeless people seeking services.

The increase has prompted Uniting Vic-Tas to call on the community to donate essential winter items and funds as part of its annual Wimmera Winter Appeal.  

Ms Scimone pin-pointed cost-of-living pressures and a lack of homes available for rent in the region as the reasons for the increased rate of homelessness.

She said an increased waiting list at Uniting was also playing a role.

“We’re having a lot of people coming to the area wanting support too,” she said.

“I think sometimes people assume coming to the country will be more chance of getting a home, and it’s not always the case.

“We’re having a lot more people presenting to the office daily for support, which is really quite hard.

“And it’s not always people who have accessed our resources previously or have accessed support previously. These are people sometimes that are new to us. 

“It’s showing how hard times are because we’re having quite a high demand at the moment.”

Ms Scimone, in charge of mental health, alcohol and other drugs, homelessness and youth services, said people were being ‘pushed to the edge’ with finances – not just homeless people but others were struggling to pay for food and heating. 

“More people are experiencing homelessness, while others are being faced with impossible choices such as heating their homes, paying rent, putting food on the table or putting fuel in their cars,” she said.

Ms Scimone said Uniting staff were doing more outreach services – both in Horsham with people sleeping rough but also in other towns across the Wimmera.

“We’re having a presence more out in those regions to try and target those people who aren’t able to come into Horsham to access support as well,” she said.

“We’re doing a lot more outreach. We’re having posts where we position ourselves out at those areas once a month. 

“We’re trying to get around to various townships and staying there for the day so that we can actually be there as a presence to support people.”

Ms Scimone’s advice for people wanting to help homeless people was to contact support services.

“It’s a really hard situation because often people don’t know what to do – it can be quite confronting to people, so if they’re feeling uncomfortable or if they are concerned, we encourage them to contact services,” she said.

“Maybe it’s police if they’re feeling unsafe, but we also encourage them to reach out to Uniting if they feel that these people could benefit from support, because we’re more than happy for them to, as a walk-in. 

“They don’t need an appointment, they can just walk in for support.”

Winter appeal

As temperatures drop, many families and people across the Wimmera region will be forced to spend winter in the freezing conditions – whether they are rough sleeping on the streets, or unable to heat their homes due to ongoing cost-of-living pressures.  

“No-one is immune from rising costs, but we know that it’s always the most vulnerable people in our community who are hardest hit, especially during the cold months,” Ms Scimone said.

“For many, warmth is a luxury they simply can’t afford.” 

A donation of $30 can provide the essentials someone needs to stay warm this winter, such as a new jacket or blanket.  

“Every contribution matters. What might feel small to one person can make a huge difference to someone facing winter without warmth,” Ms Scimone said.

Cash donations can be made online at unitingvictas.org.au/local-winter.  

Uniting’s Horsham office is also accepting donations of essential items. Donations of goods can be made during business hours at 185 Baillie Street, Horsham. 

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