Homelessness is a multi-faceted situation, and therein lies a major problem – too many agencies involved, uncoordinated. A recent article regarding an (outside) squatter in St Kilda is a fine example. Each of the council, councillor, state MP, police and welfare groups all said it wasn’t their problem, try someone else.
In Australia we don’t really have laws against rough sleeping, and if the police manage to move people along, they just repeat the behaviour.
Many people are homeless – and I mean sleeping rough – because they do not fit into well-meaning systems designed to help them. Because they are systems. I once met a poor chap who via PTSD has a fear of uniforms. He lashes out. Which means he goes through cycles of violence against emergency staff, then police, then goes to jail for a while. He just wants to be left alone.
People with dogs, often their only friend and only stability, cannot stay in shelters.
Psychosocial issues mean that most rough sleepers are simply unable to reach out for help – someone needs to come to them. Outreach has serious problems. It can be dangerous. It often is futile. In short, nobody wants to do it.
I see a case for a non-governmental outreach program, with brave social workers supported by non-uniformed security, funded by donations or philanthropists.
Instead of giving a card or a number to call, all the help is provided on the street, and given in ways that most suit the recipient, not the system. That means liaising with social security, shelters, soup kitchens, drug rehab and so on. On the street. Unofficial. Just friendly, non-judgemental help.
UPDATE: Seems this already exists, in concept anyway, perhaps under-funded – worth reading about the By Name Lists