People often talk about the pervasiveness of homelessness but what does that really mean?
There are a multitude of different forms of homelessness, from staying temporarily with friends and family, couch surfing, living in a car, or living on the streets.
But what does living rough really look like?
One local man, Angel, and his case worker Mellita, spoke to the Express about the harsh realities of living rough.
Angel has experienced multiple forms of homelessness over the past 16 years and has been living rough for the past year with his beloved dog Bullet. He usually only eats one meal a day, but always manages to keep Bullet well fed.
“Getting harassed is a big problem. It’s a scary thing. And as a female it would be 10 times worse,” Angel said. “We can’t leave anything anywhere or it will get pinched.”
Affordable housing is becoming increasingly scarce and public housing wait lists are sky rocketing, but for someone like Angel, with no fixed address, even getting on the wait list can be extremely difficult.
Angel had often avoided accessing services due to the judgement he faced, but then Mellita took the role of case worker running twice weekly doorways for The Salvation Army.
“Mellita helped. She was the first person to set realistic goals and help me apply for housing,” Angel said.
Mellita told the Express that she didn’t have the best first meeting with Angel as he was upset at the time.
“I could tell that it wasn’t aggression but frustration, and afterwards Angel said, ‘it’s been so long since someone talked to me like a human being’,” she said.
Mellita said she had had people comment how safe it was in this area for people living rough, but the stories she had been told were far from comforting, with people’s tents being hosed down and padlocks placed on tennis courts so people couldn’t access their belongings.
Angel was recently removed from private property where he had set up camp, with all his belongings taken to the tip. He became aggressive and is now facing a number of charges relating to the incident.
“Can you imagine if you were just sitting at home reading and someone just walked in?” Mellita said.
“It’s incredibly invasive. This is the third time Angel has had all his belongings taken and he is currently facing charges for theft of items left next to the donation bins at one of the local op shops.
“It can be so hard for people to find a safe place that is warm, out of the way, near town, with access to water, that is not council land,” Mellita said.
“And not under ghost gums,” Angel said.
Angel’s dream job was to be a drug and alcohol counsellor. His university studies were cut short and his life followed a different path.
“But I know how to help people in my own way. There are a lot of youth here who are a bit lost and I try to point them in the right way.
“I want to walk to Brisbane and talk to all the homeless people on the way and tell their stories.”
A number of locals have dropped off various items to Angel and Bullet, but without anywhere to properly store the food or cook it, things often go to waste.
The Express asked Mellita what people could do to help and she said they were always in need of good quality items such as thermal mattresses, good quality sleeping bags and good quality tents.
“A lot of people donate $20 Kmart summer sleeping bags, which don’t help during winter,” Mellita said.
“If there was anyone who has an empty block of land near town that they would be happy to let people set up camp on that would be amazing!
“We run doorways on a Wednesday and Friday. They are there for anyone to attend but we have a lot of rough sleepers come in.
We make them a cuppa and a toastie and engage with them and we could always do with more volunteers.”
If you are interested in making donations or volunteering visit salvationarmy.org.au or email mellita.joy@salvationarmy.org.au.
