A NEW Mornington Peninsula Housing Services Guide aims to help people overcome housing-related problems.
It can assist them to identify where to go for advice about particular problems and seeks to simplify what may appear to be a complex and confusing system.
The peninsula guide has been released at a time when “rough” campers in the Melbourne CBD are ruffling official feathers. Melbourne lord mayor Robert Doyle is said to be about to propose a controversial bylaw outlawing sleeping in the city’s streets.
The peninsula guide contains a comprehensive list of contacts for legal advice/advocacy, financial assistance and information about public/community housing and rooming houses.
It offers those who are homeless, or who have a housing problem linked with other issues, such as mental health, or who are at risk of domestic violence, help in connecting to the most appropriate service.
The guide complements the role of Salvo Care Eastern, Rosebud, which is the peninsula’s principal homelessness and housing agency, as well as many other services offering a range of support and information.
Mornington Peninsula mayor Cr Bev Colomb said the shire recognised the importance of secure and affordable housing. “[It] is becoming less affordable for many members of the community and the problem is so large that we need to look for solutions to assist a growing number of people.”
The guide is available at all shire offices and community support and information centres. For online copies visit mornpen.vic.gov.au/helpguides
For broader housing policy and research issues visit mornpen.vic.gov.au/housing or call 5950 1099.
First published in the Mornington News – 24 January 2017
