Therese Taylor, CEO of Colony 47 confirms the findings of the new report from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) which shows that the proportion of Specialist Homelessness Services clients who had a current mental health issue rose to 1 in 4 in 2014–15, while domestic and family violence continues to be the most common reason for seeking homelessness support.
Therese Taylor said,
“The majority of people coming through our Housing Connect front door in southern Tasmania are indeed showing why they are in their current situation is because of domestic violence and/or mental health issues”.
Colony 47 recognises that homelessness is not a choice, reflected in a statement made by a client of Housing Connect, Nathan, 38, who said,
“I’m a capable, intelligent person who used to have a fantastic career. I stopped working, then my relationship ended badly and now I’m living in a shelter. Now that I find myself in this situation, I have realised that homelessness can happen to anyone.”
State funded Housing Connect is a collaboration between Colony 47, Anglicare, the Salvation Army, Catholic Care and Hobart City Mission. The southern front door entry point is managed by Colony 47 providing assistance to Tasmanians to access:
• Emergency accommodation and support services;
• Public and community housing;
• Private rental accommodation; and
• Long term accommodation and housing solutions.
Housing Connect local area Coordinator, nDidi Okwechime, said,
“We have two Domestic Violence Specialists working closely with domestic violence services statewide to provide specialised pathways to clients.
“Housing Connect has seen an increase in the last year of people presenting because of domestic violence issues, and this may possibly be a consequence of the raised level of community awareness that domestic violence is not acceptable,” she said.
For people in a housing crisis situation please call Housing Connect on 1800 800 588. Housing Connect is based at 181 Collins Street, Hobart.
Therese Taylor, CEO Colony 47
