Living Under A Bridge Safer Than Living In NSW Department Of Housing !

Under The Bridge: Homeless May Be Forced To Hit The Road !
SMH ( 16.11.10 ).

67 year old Lenny Walsh said " You're safer here than in the city". Mr Walsh and his friends Steve and Eddie sit in camp chairs sipping cups of tea, protected from the pouring rain by the broad belly of the M4 motorway.

They are part of a small, but ever increasing community of homeless men-and occasionally women-who have lived at the makeshift campsite in Harris Park since last Christmas.

But the men are bracing themselves for eviction today, having been told by Roads Traffic Authority that they must clear out or face charges of trespassing on government property.

"We've got everything here-stove, couches, beds, tents. What do they want us to do, rent a storage unit ?" Steve 47, says dryly.

The Roads Minister ( ex-public housing Minister ), David Borger, said last night that he had asked the RTA to review the matter and offer help. But the men have all tried, and rejected, the Department of Housing refuge and crisis accommodation facilities, saying they carry more risk than the street !

"You end up living with drug dealers and crooks," said Eddie 48. "As long as you pay the rent on time and don't have the cops around too often, Housing doesn't care what you do."

The NSW Director of Mission Australia, Leonie Green, said Sydney was facing a wave of homelessness due to the combined effects of rising interest rates, high household debt and reduced working hours.

"The most vulnerable group at the moment is the family group and those who have bought into the mortgage belt. This is predominantly Western Sydney, so that is where we're likely to see more homeless."

snip.....

The Riverina Office of Australia First has received many reports of these very problems in Regional NSW .

The majority of reports received, have been regarding the dangerous and frightening living conditions in the Department of Housing areas. The extreme violence, drug dealers and users, alcohol problems, and what goes with it. Crime is rife and anti-social behavior is the accepted norm.

In Tolland and Kooringal burnt out and vandalised houses line the streets, adding to the general ambiance of the ongoing crime scene that is Department of Housing accommodation. As tax payers we are curious as to where the millions of dollars, of taxpayers money went that was allocated to the Wagga area ( 12-18 months ago ) specifically for the purpose of cleaning up this mess and suppossedly to address the issues of anti-social behavior ? The propaganda peddled was that this was a matter of urgency for this area. Nothing has changed.

If anything the problems are getting worse, and D.O.H Wagga Office won't lift a finger. Rather they happily sit back collecting a handsome salary whilst vulnerable people, their so-called clients live in the middle of what can only be described as a war zone and a living hell !

Where is the "duty of care" ? Where is the facilitation of the Housing Act ? Who is accountable ?

Mission Australia and others have some nerve, pretending to care about the dire situation of Australians, while most of their efforts are concentrated on refugee re-settlement and services. The double talk and double standards of such groups is offensive to disenfranchised Australians.

Their actions do not reflect their talk, as they too offer only flea ridden, cockroach infested halfway houses and the like for needy Australians, while they secure the best lodgings and services for refugees ( Invaders ).