The council’s Executive Manager, Community and Place, Merryn Howell, welcomed funding of $88,589 announced last month through the Cumberland ClubGrants Scheme from Dooleys, Club Merrylands and Wenty Leagues to employ a ‘homelessness officer’.
Ms Howell says homelessness is a significant issue and whoever takes up the new role, which is being advertised now, will work with local housing, agencies and support services.
“We are looking at bringing together the services already in the area and enhancing their work,” she said.
“It’s a complex issue and this is about capacity building as well as taking a practical approach with local community groups. It’s a whole of community approach and needs action from all levels.
“A key issue that’s emerged from consultations is that we need to change the narrative – everyone in the community can be at risk of becoming homeless.”
Compiled by council staff in October last year, A State of Homelessness in Cumberland Research Report, noted that 2016 Census data showed 3,129 people were experiencing homelessness in the region and it is increasing.
Not exclusively defined as ‘not having a home’ or sleeping rough, the report found a majority of homeless people living in Cumberland were living in “severely crowded dwellings” with some people not only sharing bedrooms but also “beds through a shift system”.
Key causes of homelessness include the chronic shortage of affordable rental housing, a lack of social housing, mental health issues, drug and alcohol addiction and domestic and family violence, with refugee and asylum seeking communities also particularly at risk.
Second highest ‘homelessness’
IT might come as a surprise to learn that the Cumberland LGA has the second highest number of people experiencing homelessness in NSW and ranking fourth in Australia behind Brisbane City, Sydney City and East Arnhem.