4 December 2007
Children the new face of housing affordability crisis
Disadvantaged children from Melbourne’s west are the new face of the nation’s housing affordability crisis, according to Anne Turley, chief executive officer of Melbourne Citymission.
Ms Turley today called on state and federal governments to work together to improve responses to family homelessness as a matter of urgency, as the agency released the findings of ‘Putting Children First’ at a forum on family homelessness and housing affordability convened by Melbourne Citymission and A Fairer West.
Ms Turley said Melbourne Citymission’s landmark study documented the experiences of almost 1,000 children from western Melbourne, growing up in families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
The research found:
- families in Melbourne’s west were waiting an average of 13 months for long-term housing after seeking assistance from Melbourne Citymission.
- about one-quarter had already spent six months in unsafe, insecure or inadequate housing before they sought help.
- the stress and dislocation was having a devastating impact on the emotional and physical development of infants and the ability of older children to develop social networks and concentrate on school.
- caseworkers were not able to adequately address the developmental or emotional needs of these children because of current policy settings and funding levels.
“Currently, the way that support services are structured and funded means that state and federal governments and community agencies like Melbourne Citymission are just tinkering around the edges,” Ms Turley said.
“However, I am heartened by the priority that the new Rudd Government has given to alleviating homelessness and increasing housing affordability.
“There’s been a real malaise in this policy area at the federal level in recent years. I am hopeful that we’ll now see collaboration between the Commonwealth and the states on a national affordable housing plan.
“In relation to family homelessness, Melbourne Citymission believes that more integrated and intentional approaches to working with families experiencing housing crisis are required.
“For example, it is crucial that the needs of children experiencing homelessness are systematically identified and addressed through casework support, to significantly reduce the trauma of homelessness and provide stability for children, and to help families break out of the cycle of homelessness.
“These families have complex needs, which require a long-term commitment of support.”
A copy of ‘Putting Children First’ is available online in the Publications section of the Melbourne Citymission website.
URL: http://www.melbournecitymission.org.au/publications
Media inquiries
David Marnie, General Manager, Adult and Family Services, Melbourne Citymission
Tel. 9680 8215
Deborah Fewster, Media and Advocacy Adviser, Melbourne Citymission
Tel. 0403 839 427
