The Homelessness in Greater Shepparton forum, on August 7 at Harder Auditorium, was a gathering to discuss current data and statistics of homelessness in the area.
It allowed local industry leaders to discuss their current plans and actions to counteract and improve the rising statistics.
GOTAFE Community Services students, local members of parliament and Greater Shepparton City councillors were in attendance.
The Bridge Youth Service program manager Renae Ford was a panellist at the forum, which also included event MC and Goulburn Ovens Murray homelessness network co-ordinator Renee Murtagh, The Salvation Army Northeast Victoria Youth Service’s Tarmara Flanagan, The Salvation Army Victoria Homelessness Services state manager Peter McGrath and Shepparton Education First Youth Foyer resident Jasmine.
Jasmine spoke of her personal experience with homelessness, which sparked dynamic and passionate conversation as youth homelessness came to the forefront of discussions.
The audience heard alarming facts and figures relating to the crisis in the region, which is coming 23rd out of 88 Victorian electorates in a race they’re all striving to finish in last place.
According to The Salvation Army, on any given night in Shepparton, there are 436 people without a home.
For every 10,000 people in the Greater Shepparton area, 59 are affected by homelessness.
Since the 2021 Census, homelessness has increased by 17.2 per cent.
In 2022 to 2023, in Greater Shepparton, 838 people were homeless.
That included 397 men (69 aged 19 and under) and 443 women (93 aged 19 and under).
In addition to the exploration of homelessness-ending strategies, the panel addressed the need to educate the community on homelessness to promote empathy and understanding, which is essential in driving change.
“We need to reduce the stigma and build our community awareness,” Ms Ford said.
“While we (the Bridge Youth Service) are focused on providing services, it’s vital for the community to understand and advocate for the realities of homelessness and its impact.”
Audience questions highlighted interest in community involvement and the role of Greater Shepparton City Council in providing additional support.
“The theme of what we’re hearing today is the importance of education, reducing stigma and uniting our efforts,” Ms Ford said.
The Salvation Army North East Victoria Social Mission regional manager Leah Farnham deemed the forum a success.
“We were very happy with the outcome of the day and the response of having roughly 70 people attend is excellent, signifying that more of these conversations need to occur moving forward,” she said.
“Being the first forum we have hosted of its kind locally, the number of attendees shows the appetite for more of the same in the future.”
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