For some weeks there was a growing number of homeless people camping in Martin Place in the heart of Sydney. There were many complaints and attempts to move the tent dwellers on, but they stayed determined not to move until a safe place was found for them. People need a safe environment to sleep in as well as a place to meet, wash and eat.They need a permanent place they can call home. The problem was not really resolved as suitable accommodation provided was not found for all and some are now sleeping rough in other parts of the CBD.

While the media didn’t show any children in the homeless group, there are at least 44,000homeless children, many under the age of 12, in Australia.

The majority of homeless families in Australia are without a home because they have been forced to flee domestic violence. Often it is a mother and children but sometimes it is children alone who leave because of domestic abuse and fear.

When I was teaching I knew one family with small children that became homeless. They managed for a week living in their car before accommodation was found. The mother’s greatest fear was that her children would be taken away. There was no Women’s shelter in town then, but fortunately a solution was found so that the family could stay together. To find answers to the homeless problem the federal, state and local government bodies must be committed to finding permanent accommodation. Charities such as the Salvation Army who understand the needs of the homeless should also be involved in discussions and problem solving.

Tags: behaviour