General News
29 March, 2025
It Takes a community’, Agencies tackle homelessness at Stawell Forum
The growing issue of homelessness in rural areas was the topic of a recent forum in Stawell.
The growing issue of homelessness in rural areas was the topic of a recent forum in Stawell.
The Wimmera Homelessness Alliance hosted the forum on Thursday, March 20 under the tagline ‘Our shared community, our shared response’.
The forum brought together several groups to join in a collaborative discussion to find solutions for the rising homelessness issue.
Wimmera Homelessness Alliance network coordinator, Michelle Twigger said the group workshopped ways the community can respond to the issue.
“We have a housing shortage and a growing number of people experiencing homelessness, including families, women and children escaping violence,” Ms Twigger said.
“We know we have over 140 people rough sleeping.”
One of the region's specific issues communities in the Wimmera face is a lack of funding for an assertive outreach worker, something most other regions in the state do have.
“None of our agencies are funded to literally go out and talk to those people who are sleeping rough, which is unusual,” Ms Twigger said.
“It's something that we desperately need, but that's just an example of how we are under-resourced.”
As the homelessness problem is only growing, the forum focused on ways the agencies could work together, as well as with councils.
“It’s advocacy, it’s collaborating,” Ms Twigger said.
“As a result [of the forum] we will meet more closely with councils and Police,” Ms Twigger said.
“VicPol are very supportive.
“They recognise people experiencing homelessness are an important part of our community, and if we are going to resolve homelessness, it takes a community.”
At the forum, the group discussed how the community can better respond to people who are experiencing rough sleeping.
Ms Twigger said advocacy was a topic of the discussion.
“Advocacy was a large part … to get more housing to be made available to people,” she said.
Ms Twigger also highlighted the need for single bedroom housing, for both older people looking to downsize and younger people.
“We have a growing challenge in housing young people,” she said.