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Homelessness hits 600 in city Page 2
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162 young people l aged 17 to 25 facing homelessness in district
LEARNING THE TRADE BUSINESS END: Denny Weston was among the students learning the bottling process at Squires Winery and part of the Victorian Pathways Certificate (VPC) Agriculture and Horticulture open to students aged 15 to 18 years old. PHOTO: Elizabeth Gourley ■ See full story on page 4
MORE than 600 people were experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless across Wangaratta in 2023-2024, according to data released by Beyond Housing. The data shows that of the 648 people seeking homelessness support, 45 were children, 98 were aged 55 and over, 116 were on a Disability Support Pension, and 162 were young people aged between 17 and 25. A staggering 246 people were seeking assistance for the first time from the region’s primary homelessness access point, and almost 10 per cent identified as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander. Homelessness Week begins on Monday and the latest data shows the main reasons for homelessness were housing crises, financial difficulties, inappropriate housing, and housing stress, while 78 people were victims of family violence, further highlighting the need for comprehensive support services. Beyond Housing’s chief executive officer Celia Adams said these statistics
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underscore a crisis that has been escalating for years, despite continuous warnings from service providers. “Our older adults and people with a disability are increasingly vulnerable to housing insecurity, and we must provide them with the stability and support they need,” she said. The data also shows that 44 per cent of all those assisted were singles, while 24 per cent were sole parents with one or more children. “These figures demonstrate the diverse range of people affected by housing instability in Wangaratta. “This persistent neglect and lack of action is unacceptable, we must urgently address the systemic issues driving homelessness and commit to providing meaningful, longterm solutions.” The theme for Homelessness Week 2024, ‘Homelessness Action Now’, calls for urgent action on these pressing issues and the changes necessary to ensure everyone has access to safe, secure, and affordable housing. ■ Continued page 2
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