Homelessness and sleeping rough can be caused by many factors, not always limited to unemployment, addiction or mental health issues.
It's something that can happen to anyone and can be a result of bad luck, bad timing, or one-off events such as a house fire, family breakdown or the end of a tenancy.
Unfortunately, there's no easy fix to homelessness. It's a complex nation-wide issue that needs to be addressed by community service providers in partnership with all levels of government.
The City will continue working together with other agencies to find a long-term meaningful solution for those who are struggling to find housing or are sleeping rough in Geelong.
Our region's population growth and rising housing prices – both generally signs of a positive economy – have exacerbated the problem and created a greater demand for social housing.
That's why this year we're developing a social housing plan, thanks to funding from the Department of Health and Human Services. The plan will identify social housing needs and suitable land, as well as propose some options to increase the amount of appropriate and accessible housing available in our region.
We will be hosting a community forum in mid-June to discuss the current and future needs of social housing in our region. Keep an eye out at www.geelongaustralia.com.au
Community housing contacts
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