Councillor Matters | Cr Jenny Greenberger, April 11, 2025

Published on 11 April 2025

There has been discussion on social media and in this newspaper about homelessness in Stawell. Preliminary results from our council plan survey show that our community deeply cares about this issue, as do councillors and staff.

I recently attended the Wimmera Homelessness Alliance Forum in Stawell, which attracted about 50 people from Ballarat to the border. Representatives from homelessness support, social housing, police, family violence services, addiction, and mental health sectors attended to discuss the challenges in our region.

Key takeaways:

• Homelessness is never a choice. No child, when asked what they want to be when they grow up, answers, ‘I want to be homeless’.
• Anyone can become homeless. Many families live in fear that a rent increase or eviction will leave them with nowhere affordable to go.
• Homelessness is complex. People may be unable to sign a lease due to age, fleeing family violence, struggling with mental health or addiction, or living with a disability.
• Seeking help is difficult. One speaker with lived experience said the hardest part was reaching out for help. Trust is a major issue, and accepting support often takes time.
• Affordable housing is scarce. There are not enough public housing options or private rentals available locally.
• So far, this financial year, 89 rough sleepers have presented to Uniting Wimmera in Horsham.  Another 47 have been located through the Street 2 Home Assertive Outreach program. By the end of the financial year, they expect 233 people to be sleeping rough across the Wimmera.  This service is only funded for three days per fortnight, so these numbers are likely only the tip of the iceberg.

  Uniting Wimmera, based in Horsham, is the primary homelessness service provider for our area. However, they can only offer a one-day-per-fortnight outreach service to Stawell, due to lack of funding. They want to engage with rough sleepers directly, build trust and help them access safe housing, but they don’t have the necessary resources.

  What can council do?

• Help the community understand homelessness and its causes.
• Advocate to state and federal governments for better funding and services.
• Support initiatives that increase social and affordable housing.

  What can the community do?

• Avoid judgment – homelessness can happen to anyone.
• Show compassion and allow people to live with dignity.
• If someone is in crisis, do not intervene unless necessary. If you feel unsafe, leave the area. If a person or property is at risk, call 000.
• Support agencies that assist those experiencing homelessness. Donate or volunteer with Uniting Wimmera, GCH, The Cottage, Neighbourhood House, or LLEN’s L2P.

Homelessness is a growing issue, but by working together as a community – through understanding, support and advocacy – we can help create meaningful change in Stawell.