Local events and initiatives support Homelessness Week 2024

Homelessness Week 2024 (Monday 5 to Sunday 11 August) is an opportunity to share and learn about the impact homelessness has on individuals and their families, and the solutions needed to end homelessness. It’s also a time when local government, homelessness services and community groups come together to raise awareness and advocate for change.

Myli Community Libraries, with support from Cardinia Shire Council, is hosting three special Storytime sessions at Emerald Library, Pakenham Library, and the Cardinia Mobile Library (at Cockatoo).

Ideal for children up to the age of five years, there will be stories, including a special reading of ‘I saw Pete and Pete saw me’ by Maggi Hutchings, songs, and an activity about kindness, care, and community for Homelessness Week. Pakenham library will also be hosting a morning tea during the reading. Bookings are encouraged for these free events.

11am–12pm, Thursday 8 August at Henry Street, Pakenham Bookings: https://bit.ly/HW2024-PakenhamStorytime

11.15am–12pm, Thursday 8 August at 400B Belgrave-Gembrook Road, Emerald Bookings: https://bit.ly/HW2024-EmeraldStorytime

2.30–3.30pm, Thursday 8 August at Cockatoo Community Complex, 77 Pakenham Road, Cockatoo Bookings: https://bit.ly/HW2024-MobileStorytime

Council’s Community Support team will be attending the Bless Collective community dinner on Thursday 8 August at Pakenham Hall, to host an information and craft table. There will be mindfulness activities for clients and community to participate in through the evening, and resources on local support available. No bookings are required for this.

Every Wednesday, there are free Housing Support Advice sessions at Pakenham Library (Henry St, Pakenham VIC 3810), led by ERMHA365 Complex Mental Health and Disability Services.

A session is happening on Wednesday 7 August 2024, from 2–4pm. Bookings are not required, but you can register to receive an email reminder 48 hours before the event: https://bit.ly/HousingSupportAdvice2024

Cardinia Leisure is raising funds for the Cardinia Foundation throughout Homelessness Week 2024! Cardinia Leisure will donate 50 cents from every hot drink (coffee, chai, tea, and hot chocolate) purchased at Cardinia Life throughout Homelessness Week.

Drop by Cardinia Life at 4 Olympic Way, Pakenham, during café opening hours (Monday to Friday from 9am to 6pm, and Saturday to Sunday from 8am to 4pm), and grab yours now! 

Hosted by Cardinia Leisure, the 5km and 10km fun run and walk is happening on Sunday 27 October 2024 at Deep Creek Reserve, Pakenham. Register now for the 2024 Cardinia Fun Run Walk: https://bit.ly/CardiniaFunRunWalk2024

Early bird special registration fees are available until 30 September. All proceeds from the Cardinia Fun Run and Walk will be donated to the Cardinia Foundation. Your support means the foundation can continue to invest in the work of local community groups and build a strong, healthy and diverse community through its annual grant-giving program.

Runners and walkers of all abilities welcome. For enquiries, please contact the Cardinia Leisure team directly on 5945 2888 or by email to [email protected]. 

A person may experience homelessness when they do not have suitable accommodation, their current living arrangement is inadequate, or if their initial lease period is short and not extendable. People can experience homelessness for a short time or for an extended period.

People experiencing homelessness may be residing in rooming houses, public housing, or sleeping rough in places such as cars, tents, improvised shelters, parks, carparks, or garages.

Instances of homelessness in Cardinia Shire, and across Australia, have been increasing in recent years. The top contributing factors within Cardinia Shire include displacement due to domestic and family violence, housing crisis such as eviction, financial difficulties, and housing affordability stress.

There is an urgent corresponding need to increase funding to homelessness services to meet growing need. Cardinia Shire Council continues to work with neighbouring Councils and partner agencies to advocate to State and Federal Governments for increased funding for homelessness services in our region.

Cardinia Shire Council’s response to homelessness recognises the principles of Victoria’s Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities, seeking to protect and ensure every individual is treated with dignity and respect, regardless of their cultural background, ability, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, spirituality, or religion.

Homelessness is not a crime, and housing is a fundamental human right and an important factor in creating a liveable and resilient community.

Through the Cardinia Shire Liveability Plan, Council and its partner organisations have committed to improve neighbourhood liveability and support the equity and inclusion of all community members. This involves leading, facilitating and supporting projects and initiatives, and advocate strongly for increased access to appropriate and affordable housing.

If you know someone at risk of or currently experiencing homelessness, there is help available.

Council works alongside service providers such as ERMHA365 and WAYSS which are the funded housing and homelessness support services within Cardinia Shire. These agencies provide services such as outreach, case management, and housing support services to people experiencing homelessness across the whole Casey, Cardinia, Frankston and Dandenong region.

If you see someone you believe may be experiencing homelessness, please do not remove or damage personal items, sleeping equipment or a makeshift shelter that may belong to the person/s.

Rather, to ensure appropriate support and services are made available to them, you can contact Council online at www.cardinia.vic.gov.au/HomelessnessReferral or by calling Customer Support on 1300 787 624. You can choose to remain anonymous.

Should you suspect that the person/s requires immediate medical attention, or any illegal activity, please call 000 immediately.

Council has also launched a new support directory website, Cardinia Support, online at www.cardinia.vic.gov.au/CardiniaSupport. Cardinia Support includes contact information and links to social, health and community services in Cardinia Shire, and is easily searchable by topic, such as housing/homelessness, food relief, financial supports and services, family violence, children’s services, and more. The website also features a ‘Quick Exit’ button allowing visitors to immediately exit the website and be redirected to a standard search engine webpage.

For more information, visit: •    Cardinia Shire Council homelessness information: www.cardinia.vic.gov.au/Homelessness •    Cardinia Support services directory: www.cardinia.vic.gov.au/CardiniaSupport •    Homelessness Australia website: https://homelessnessaustralia.org.au/homelessness-week

For enquiries, contact our Community Support team on 1300 787 624 or [email protected].