Coast Shelter is in crisis and is calling on community organisations and businesses in the region to offer more support, particularly by registering a team for this year’s sleepout on August 2, which is one of the organisation’s major fundraisers.
Homelessness, exacerbated by the escalating cost of living, is pushing more individuals and families into precarious living situations and urgent remedies are needed.
Like the rest of the nation, the Central Coast has fallen victim to rising housing costs, stagnant wages and an increasing gap between the rich and poor, with more people finding themselves without a roof over their heads.
Rents have skyrocketed, home prices are out of reach for many, and the cost of everyday essentials continues to climb.
For those already living payday to payday, one unexpected expense or job loss can mean the difference between stability and homelessness.
Compounding this issue is the region’s alarming rates of domestic and family violence.
The Central Coast ranks second highest in the state for these, often leaving victims with no choice but to flee their homes.
The lack of affordable and secure housing options only exacerbates their vulnerability, making the path to safety and stability even more treacherous.
Not-for-profit organisations like Coast Shelter are on the frontline of the crisis and are struggling to keep up with the growing demand for their services.
Coast Shelter is at capacity, and its staff are nearing burnout, overwhelmed by the sheer volume of those in need and the lack of appropriate funding to address it.
CEO Lee Shearer said the organisation’s refuges and waitlists were full and people were sleeping in cars, in parks and in any place they could find.
“We have seen a 52 per cent increase in people seeking support since last year,” she said.
“This is not just a statistic; these are our neighbours, our friends, our community members.”
Shearer said the solution required a collective effort.
“We need our local community and business leaders to step up and help create the change that is needed,” she said.
“It’s not enough to acknowledge the problem; we need action.
“Those who have the ability and power to help make a difference need to do so, and they need to do it now.”
Shearer said Coast Shelter staff were working tirelessly, often with limited resources, to provide support and care to the most vulnerable .
“Yet, without adequate funding and support from the broader community, their efforts can only go so far,” she said.
“Our team is dedicated, but they are stretched thin.
“We need more resources, more funding and more hands on deck.
“This is a community issue, and it requires a community solution.”
Shearer said local business leaders, in particular, had a critical role to play through financial contributions, advocacy or creating employment opportunities for those affected.
“We need businesses to recognise that homelessness affects everyone,” she said.
“It’s quite likely that one or more of their staff members are experiencing homelessness or domestic violence right under their nose.
“Their involvement is crucial in creating sustainable solutions.”
A powerful opportunity to start addressing the issue is the Coast Shelter Sleepout on August 2.
The fundraising event is more than just a call for donations; it is a rallying point for community leaders, business owners and concerned citizens to come together, have a conversation, share ideas and commit to making a change.
Shearer is hoping the event will be the catalyst for a broader movement towards ending homelessness on the Central Coast.
“If we don’t act now, the situation will only get worse,” she said.
“We have the power to change lives, to restore hope to those who have lost it, and to rebuild our community.
“It’s time to step up.”
Register for the sleepout or make a donation at coastshelter.org.au