High levels of assaults against the homeless
May 14, 2012




THE first health survey of homeless people in western Sydney has shown they are subject to shocking levels of assaults and violence, and high rates of serious illnesses, including cancer.   

More than 40 per cent of the 148 homeless people surveyed had been admitted to hospital at least once last year at an estimated cost to the state of more than half a million dollars.

They had made 111 visits in the past three months to hospital emergency departments at an estimated cost of $25,000.


''One of the most disturbing aspects was the number of people with life-threatening illnesses such as cancer, some of whom were being discharged from chemotherapy treatment onto the streets,'' said Stephanie Brennan, manager of community services at Wentworth Community Housing.   

The detailed survey was conducted over four days last week by volunteers who were guided by former rough sleepers familiar with the often hidden places where the homeless bed down.

The survey applied a vulnerability index to determine the 50 most vulnerable homeless people in the region. The project's aim is to house as quickly as possible those who are most likely to die prematurely or become seriously ill because of their living situation.

Felicity Reynolds, the chief executive of the Mercy Foundation, said research had shown people were at 20 times the risk of premature death if they lived on the streets for more than six months, particularly if they had at least one of eight risk factors, such as being aged over 60.

Other risk factors included a record of three hospitalisations or emergency room visits in a year, more than three emergency room visits in the past three months and co-occurring psychiatric, medical and substance abuse problems.

Of those surveyed 62 people, or 42 per cent, were considered to be highly vulnerable, the index found, and in urgent need of housing.

The most vulnerable had spent on average six years homeless but 20 had been homeless for more than 10 years and one respondent said his homelessness had lasted 35 years.   

Outreach workers last year found an elderly man, known as Chika, living on the banks of the Nepean River. He was undergoing chemotherapy for oesophageal cancer at a hospital. He had been sleeping rough for at least 14 years. Unsurprisingly, the vulnerability index found he was a top priority for housing, and Wentworth Community Housing found accommodation for him and his dog.

''He died a few weeks ago but at least he had nine months of a more dignified life and a peaceful end,'' Ms Brennan said.

She said homeless people undergoing chemotherapy and being discharged to the streets were found this year as well.

The survey found 42 per cent of the surveyed homeless had been the victim of a violent attack since having been homeless.   

''One of the saddest stories was of a young woman with obvious mental health issues who slept on the steps of a well-lit government building in Penrith,'' Ms Brennan said. ''When we asked her if she'd ever been violently assaulted she used both her hands to count the number of times. Recently someone threw a brick at her and split her head.''

Ms Reynolds called for politicians to show leadership to make more houses available for people living on the margins.   


Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/national/high-levels-of-assaults-against-the-homeless-20120513-1ykws.html#ixzz1umi07c24

Manly council gives new hope to the homeless.

Yes Manly council, quite often we can pick the homeless by the few possessions they carry with them. We wouldn't want anyone to know that Manly has a homeless problem, would we Ms Martin?

You lucky homeless people, we are now taking orders. What colour bin would you like?

Out of the way  sight of everybody else during the day.
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Manly Council to buy wheelie bins for homeless to store possessions in

MANLY Council is buying wheelie bins for the homeless to store their belongings.

What do you think of Manly Council's wheel-out? Leave a comment

In an unusual plan to protect the possessions of the street dwellers, the council passed a motion to buy six for Manly Community Centre and Fairlight Centre to lend to "rough sleepers".

The bins cost $71 each and are like any 120 litre bin of the kind normally used to collect rubbish.

But Manly Council safety officer Leanne Martin said they would be brightly coloured and branded.

"We are going to buy the bins in bright purple or a lime colour so they don't get mistaken for waste," Ms Martin said.

"It's a way for homeless people to manage their belongings so they are kept secure and out of the way  sight of everybody else during the day."

The manager of Manly Community Centre, Jacqueline Smith, said the centre currently provided cupboards but not enough to cater for the demand. She said opening hours limited the centre's services.

"If you've got swags and blankets, it gets very cold and damp - so we thought it was such a good idea," Ms Smith said.

"We can't get shelter for all these guys, so many don't have anywhere to put their belongings away safely."

The idea was first put forward in a Community Safety Committee meeting in May attended by local police, councillors and community representatives.

A contact list of known homeless men and women was distributed to relevant council staff, police and appropriate non-government organisations.

The council expects delivery of the bins in coming weeks.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/manly-council-to-buy-wheelie-bins-for-home...

With these Wheelie Bins given to the homeless on the streets.
Were would they actually be able to put them store them though their days on the streets.

Some IGNORANT council worker doing garbage collection would probably come alone and DUMP the contents.

Stupid idea here

Ex Dame Pansi wrote on Jun 11^th, 2012 at 9:35am:


Heh. You know they are going to defeat their own purpose here. The yank homeless have shopping trolleys - ours will have wheelie bins!

SOB

bobbythefap1 wrote on Jun 11^th, 2012 at 9:50am:


Why can't the homeless use the stadiums, they have roofs, showers and toilet facilities. They can either be transported by bus to community centres when the games are on or alternatively stay there and watch the game.

Would you be able to pick the difference between an AFL fan and a homeless person?......joking, don't start.

No one wants to think outside the square these days, it's all too bothersome.

In my area, some of the homeless live in the showgrounds, unofficially, there's a little gap under the wire fencing that allows them access, it's never been fixed, the council and police turn a blind eye.

Ex Dame Pansi wrote on Jun 11^th, 2012 at 11:24am:


They don't want them all in one location because then it becomes symbolic of governmnet policy failure. It's better to have them scattered all over the place sleeping under bridges etc. Out of site out of mind

Maybe the government should issue them with cardboard boxes so they can live like they do in the UK

<<They don't want them all in one location because then it becomes symbolic of governmnet policy failure. It's better to have them scattered all over the place sleeping under bridges etc. Out of site out of mind>>
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I see what you mean, it's quite acceptable to have a ghetto of shipping containers for mining communities, but not for the homeless.

It is better for the governments image if they're hidden away. Will London shift their homeless to less obvious areas during the Olympics like other countries have done in the past? I'm sure the Occupy movement, who take care of the homeless, will be in full view of the world media.

Ex Dame Pansi wrote on Jun 11^th, 2012 at 12:22pm:


Heh remember brisbane in the commonwealth games in the early 80s. all the homeless were gathered up and put in the herchel st cells for the duration. They called it "the black hole" and there was a big fuss about it after the fact but that didnt stop it happening.

SOB