KC Hill
Dexter
Cibbuano
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Craig Hill
Oracle of DelphiAustralia: The New Homeless
March 24th 2008 23:49
Most people in the mainstream regard homeless people as either mentally ill, drug or alcohol dependent, or some other such degree of marginalisation. However, there seems to be more and more "average" people joining the ranks of the homeless.
I watched the early news this morning, and saw a story of a woman who, I think, is indicative of the new situations people are facing. This lady had been a police woman, then a flight attendant. She had owned her own home, and had what many saw as a comfortable life.
However, due to changes in her personal circumstances, she now lives on the streets. This was something I have seen more and more in recent years. In many circumstances, it is because of the sudden rise in interest rates and cost of living (incredibly high in Australia compared to other western countries).
One of the most disturbing trends is the amount of physically disabled people being forced onto the streets. In the wake of the terrible Childers backpackers tragedy of 2000 (15 people were killed), the Queensland government, followed by other state governments, quite rightly introduced new legislation to protect people in such hostels. This included a requirement that disabled access must be provided for disabled residents.
However, many unscrupulous landlords have circumvented this, simply kicking out their disabled tenants, rather than building disabled access. Even many of the new government funded community housing schemes are only including a token number of disability accessible rooms in new projects.
As the competition for the limited number of places becomes more intense, many disabled are finding they have nowhere to go. Just as the rising cost of living is forcing many people into the streets, or substandard housing.
I would be interested to hear from others about their own experiences, or the experiences of people they know facing the same circumstances.
More stories by this author after the following important information
I watched the early news this morning, and saw a story of a woman who, I think, is indicative of the new situations people are facing. This lady had been a police woman, then a flight attendant. She had owned her own home, and had what many saw as a comfortable life.
However, due to changes in her personal circumstances, she now lives on the streets. This was something I have seen more and more in recent years. In many circumstances, it is because of the sudden rise in interest rates and cost of living (incredibly high in Australia compared to other western countries).
One of the most disturbing trends is the amount of physically disabled people being forced onto the streets. In the wake of the terrible Childers backpackers tragedy of 2000 (15 people were killed), the Queensland government, followed by other state governments, quite rightly introduced new legislation to protect people in such hostels. This included a requirement that disabled access must be provided for disabled residents.
However, many unscrupulous landlords have circumvented this, simply kicking out their disabled tenants, rather than building disabled access. Even many of the new government funded community housing schemes are only including a token number of disability accessible rooms in new projects.
As the competition for the limited number of places becomes more intense, many disabled are finding they have nowhere to go. Just as the rising cost of living is forcing many people into the streets, or substandard housing.
I would be interested to hear from others about their own experiences, or the experiences of people they know facing the same circumstances.
More stories by this author after the following important information
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Comment by Lady Henrietta Muddling
Potter in a Harry
I don't like to jump on board bandwagons much, but if I was ever going to jump on one it would be the one that made sure that no Australian was homeless.
It's a disgrace that any Australian is homeless.
Charity? Pfft. Even the so-called charitable organisations nowadays are profit making businesses. That disqualifies them from being a charitable organisation in my book. Doesn't anyone read history that dates back more then a few nano-seconds any more?
Comment by Johnny Come Lately
Jack's Back
Comment by KC Hill
World Art
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Johnny. Yes. While working with the streeties, and also with a federal senator, it becomes appallingly clear that the welfare organisations are sadly lacking. It is also surprising the backgrounds of those who live on the streets, and also some of the prominent people who once lived on the streets. Prime Minister Kevin Rudd apparently lived in a car with his mother and sister when he was younger (according to his own reports).
Comment by Mister Smith
MRS SMITH
READ THIS
SISTERS IN CRIME
Comment by KC Hill
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Hind Sight
Some charities have totally lost their way in this. As example, the Smith Family do not do welfare any more. They concentrate on "training people not to get in the situation to need charity." I'm not sure that's completely achievable, which would mean the Smith Family is abandoning those that do not have the capacity to achieve such unrealistic goals.
And the Smith Family is not the only one (read the link in my comment above)