IN Australia there are over 116,000 people experiencing homelessness on any given night.

In Port Stephens there are people living rough, women living in cars and families living in emergency accommodation.

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There are people choosing to sleep rough because the emergency housing provided doesn’t extend to their pets.
Last week in Australia it was Homelessness Week.

The week aims to raise awareness of the impact of homelessness in Australia via national and local community events, including providing information about the importance of housing.

One group of Port Stephens residents are planning an event, “No Fixed Address”, to shine a light on homelessness on 19 August at the Anna Bay Scout Hall on Fisherman’s Bay Rd from 5pm-8pm.

The event is being supported by SPAR, Ruby Blue and Anna Bay Scouts.

The event ties in with ‘NSW Vinnies Community Sleepout’.

One of the event organisers Kelly Hammond told News Of The Area, “We have already kicked the goal of raising over $2,000 for St Vincents, now the money raised at the event will go to The Yacaaba Centre, which provides local services to people in need.”

The event will kick off at 5pm and there will be a soup kitchen where people can donate to the Scouts who are providing the venue in support of the community activity.

The Yacaaba Centre is also accepting non-perishable items and handbags in good condition – toiletries will be distributed to those in need.

“The NSW Vinnies Community Sleepout plays a vital role in enabling the members of the St Vincent de Paul Society to provide support to locals facing hardship,” said Ms Hammond.

“There has been an increase in demand for support among residents in the Port Stephens area, which has been heightened in light of the rising cost of living crisis.

“In the past year, St Vincent de Paul Society members supported 238 people in the Port Stephens Regional Council area, encompassing Anna Bay, Mallabula, Nelson Bay, Port Stephens, Raymond Terrace, Stockton and Tea Gardens, with 96 per cent of calls for food assistance.

“Housing is a huge concern in the Port Stephens region with two-thirds of the people assisted by the society renting on the private market and 71 per cent experiencing housing stress.

“The Port Stephens area has 156 applicants waiting for social housing, including 17 listed for priority housing, according to the NSW Department of Communities and Justice Housing Register.

Some applicants are having to wait more than ten years for a place to live.

“We hope that by holding the community sleepout we can highlight the issues that exist in the Hunter region, while raising important funds and awareness for the invaluable work of our members supporting people in times of need,” she said.

Ms Hammond said there would be no physical “sleep-out” this year at the Anna Bay event, but hoped it would be possible next year on the proviso a safe environment could be provided for the community to be able to participate in a sleep-out.

Similar events in Maitland are conducted at fenced premises with security onsite.

By Marian SAMPSON