Charities & Causes

Homeless people in our cities

Charities & Causes

Posted by: CAT17

3rd May 2011 12:11am

WHY isn't there a charity set up to support the homeless in our cities> We all seem to be able to donate to "popular/well known" charities and yet dont think of the people who are sleeping in our parklands amd streets. Governments are always sending millions to foreign countries and yet spend nothing on our own people. Asylum seekers are housed, even in exspensive private hotels, why can't the same be done to ease the hardship that our own people are facing every day often through no fault of their own? Why has no government done something about this shameful situation. Winter will soon be here and things are going to be tougher. I wish I could organise a group to help, but unfortunately health issues prevent my involment. What do others feel about this situation.

sherri
  • 22nd Nov 2011 10:59am

Sorry Marika - but you are incorrect on every point that you make. And so is Cat when she says that there is no-one helping the homeless.

Australia has one of the best welfare systems in the world....unfortunately we do not fund it very well...and there are more people needing services than the services can deal with - and so most miss out.

And speaking specifically about homelessness...BECAUSE we do have such a good welfare system, and a climate that makes it easier for people to sleep rough a lot of what has been going on for ages has been 'invisible' here. But the fact is that in every major city in Australia, we have been building less houses than is needed for the population, and this has meant that housing rental prices have risen so much that many could not afford it even if they could find something.

When I first started working in this area, homeless people were mostly single people, now is whole families. There are even employed people who are homeless. (and friends of mine are facing that possibiliy now - both are employed, their lease is about to run out, the house is to be sold, but there is nothing for then to rent)...and if these guys can't find anything, what about the unemployed, the sick, and the single parent?



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