YFCC once again hosted a luncheon event in early August to mark Homelessness Week. Over 50 guests attended the luncheon held at the Argosy Hotel in East Devonport.
Guests included Felix Ellis MP, CEO of Shelter Tas Pattie Chugg, Shane Broad MP, Leonie Hiscutt MLC, Devonport Deputy Mayor Alison Jarman and a wide range of community service providers from across the state.
The objective of the luncheon was to provide awareness on the issue of homelessness in the State and to highlight the initiatives and services in place to support people experiencing homelessness.
Guest speaker, Zoe Appleby, spoke about her experiences over the past few years and the journey she has taken from unsustainable, overcrowded accommodation to having her own place for her and her daughter. Zoe spoke about the supports she had received from various YFCC programs to help her on her journey to long term safe housing as well as gaining her drivers licence and securing employment in the hospitality industry. Zoe’s honest and open presentation touched everyone in the room and provided service providers with a reminder of the importance of their roles in supporting people on their journey.
Felix Ellis then spoke about the importance of addressing homelessness and the initiatives the Tasmanian Government are implementing. He spoke about the range of other social issues that are impacted by homelessness such as mental health and unemployment.
Pattie Chugg, CEO of Shelter Tas, then provided a summary of housing and homelessness statistics including private rental trends, social housing waiting lists and the impact this is having in the State. Pattie also spoke about the importance of Housing First, and the need for more social housing.
Homelessness Week raises awareness of people experiencing homelessness, the issues they face, and the action needed to achieve enduring solutions. Events were held right across Tasmania by a range of organisations throughout Homelessness Week.
