MORE than 650 people in Port Stephens were assigned a homelessness case worker last financial year, underscoring the growing demand for support across the local community.
The figure includes 170 children, while 213 people said domestic and family violence was the reason they became homeless.
Port Stephens Family and Neighbourhood Services (PSFaNS), the region’s specialist homelessness service, is funded to support 348 people each year.
Last financial year, demand was almost double that capacity.
PSFaNS Assistant Manager Ann Fletcher said it was important to remember that each statistic represented a real person.
“Every one of these numbers represents a person, a young person or a family facing one of the most difficult times in their lives,” Ms Fletcher said.
She said Homelessness Week, from 3 to 9 August, was an opportunity to better understand homelessness and the circumstances that can leave people without a safe place to live.
Homelessness does not always mean sleeping on the street.
It can mean a young person without a stable home, a family moving between relatives or friends, or someone leaving a relationship because of domestic and family violence.
Port Stephens Council joined the Homelessness Action Now campaign during the week, working with local organisations and services to raise awareness of the issue.
Samaritans is also using the week to shine a light on youth homelessness through its Green Light Appeal.
A Samaritans spokesperson said the organisation believed everyone had the right to safe and secure housing.
“Samaritans is committed to giving people experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness the right opportunities and support,” the spokesperson said.
Money raised through the appeal supports Samaritans Student Accommodation in Wickham, which provides safe accommodation for young people aged 16 to 24 who are homeless, or at risk of homelessness, while they continue their education or training.
Samaritans supports an estimated 10,000 to 15,000 people each year across its services, with more than 4,000 people receiving direct support between January and March this year.
Port Stephens Council also supported Green Day, with staff dressing in green to help raise awareness.
For local services, however, the work does not stop when Homelessness Week ends.
Behind the numbers are local people who need somewhere safe to sleep, someone to listen and the support to rebuild stability.
By Althea GUINSBERG
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