Driving You Mad, Driving You Crazy

20 Sep 2018

INTERVIEW: Inspector Craig Peel & Senior Sgt John Travaglini of Victoria Police Visit to talk Homelessness on the Streets of Melbourne

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INTERVIEW: Inspector Craig Peel & Senior Sgt John Travaglini of Victoria Police Visit to talk Homelessness on the Streets of Melbourne

On any given night, more than 116,000 Australians are homeless. That’s one in every 200 people. David and Sue talk to Inspector Craig Peel & Senior Sgt John Travaglini about Homelessness on the Streets of Melbourne. They’re from the Melbourne East Victoria Police Station which covers the CBD of Melbourne. This is an important issue for us all in Melbourne even though the number of people living rough in the City of Melbourne is slowly reducing. When last counted it was around 250 each night which was down from about 300 a year ago.

The Victoria Police are often called upon to talk to and support those that are homeless and so they provide some tips about what to do and how to treat homeless people when you see them in the street – their suggestion is to say hello and have a conversation if you’re comfortable doing it. They also talk about the role of the Victoria Police in working with homeless people given that homelessness is not a crime.

Some Key facts about Homelessness (from Homelessness Australia)

2/5 of people who are homelessness are under the age of 25.
Only 6% of people who are homeless actually sleep on the streets. Most you wouldn’t see or know they’re homeless.
Homelessness in Australia has increased by 14% in 5 years.
Federal Government funding for social housing and homelessness has decreased by 16% in 5 years.
On any given night, more than 116,000 Australians are homeless. That’s one in every 200 people.
Over a third of people presenting at services cite family violence or relationship breakdown as the main reason for seeking assistance.

You can also see some stats in the infographic in this post.

If you need help or know someone who does then Opening Doors is a 24-hour statewide toll-free number in Victoria and you can call 1800 825 955 to speak with a housing and support worker. The 1800 number will direct your call to a service closest to you, or if the call is outside business hours, it will be directed to Salvation Army Crisis Services.