Housing affordability and family breakdowns have forced many Melton people from their homes in the past year.
Melton council’s housing services recorded about 1500 calls for help during 2014.
Melton council’s acting family, youth and housing manager, Rohna Pedretti, says there is an “ongoing demand” for housing assistance in the city.
“Many contributing factors are leading to people experiencing homelessness or being at risk of homelessness,” Ms Pedretti said.
“These factors can include family or relationship breakdown; family or partner violence; abuse or neglect; drug, alcohol or gambling addictions; family homelessness; unemployment and poverty; and lack of affordable housing.”
Data released by the Council to Homeless Persons indicates the number of homeless people in Melton climbed 30 per cent between the 2006 and 2011 censuses.
While homeless numbers at Moorabool are slightly lower, “even one is a huge concern,” mayor Paul Tatchell said.
“This isn’t a government’s problem; this problem belongs to everybody,” Cr Tatchell said.
“Not everyone has the capacity to bail themselves out of the problem. This problem will grow until we, as people, start to take some role in being humans to other humans.”
And Bacchus Marsh locals Peter Turner and Gavin Fenech have opted to play their part by raising money to help the city’s most vulnerable residents.
“I had a limited perspective of what it meant to be homeless and we just assume there’s an issue with drugs,” Mr Fenech said.
“It’s hard to relate to [what makes peo
ple homelessness], but some people assume there’s going to be a level of freedom after all the abuse and feelings of insecurity they experience.
“People are living in makeshift camps under bridges and down in the bushes.”
The pair helped organise a music festival last weekend to raise money for a caravan park in Bacchus Marsh, similar to the one in Ballan, which has been very successful.
To help or donate, visit ‘Rally the saints music festival’ on Facebook.
