The rising tide of homelessness

Broadcast on 2CH Sydney, 24 Mar 2013

A survey commissioned by Macquarie University and the Exodus Foundation, providing a snapshot of homelessness in inner-city Sydney, has identified crisis levels of housing and health among Sydney’s homeless people.

The results were collected from the homeless who used the nightly meal service offered by the Exodus Foundation’s city mobile food van.

Exodus Foundation CEO, the Reverend Bill Crews, said the homeless appeared to be slipping through government safety nets.

“Government agencies seem unable to place [homeless people] in long-term secure accommodation, nor provide the assistance they need to ease their levels of poverty,” he said.

The survey found that almost one in four of those surveyed were under 30 years old; almost a quarter of the sample were “rough sleepers”; almost two-thirds had used the food van for more than 12 months, indicating an entrenched level of disadvantage; and 55 per cent suffered a diagnosed mental health condition.

The Exodus Foundation, HopeStreet and other Christian agencies do a fantastic job helping homeless people find food, unconditional love, and a listening ear.

I’m Rod Benson for the NSW Council of Churches.