Relief in sight for homeless

A NEW shortstay accommodation centre in Robinson Street, Dandenong, will provide temporary homes for 11 single adults and four families.
The $3.72 million facility will provide shortterm accommodation, seven days a week, 24 hours a day for people experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness in the south eastern suburbs.
Housing Minister Candy Broad inspected the site last Thursday and said pooled funding arrangements would bring together $840,000 a year for the running of the centre.
“This will ensure a range of drug, mental health and support services are provided at the centre through Hanover Welfare Services,” she said.
Ms Broad said many factors contributed to homelessness for people of all ages, from mental illness and substance abuse, to family breakdown and domestic violence.
“This centre delivers on a State Government commitment to provide accommodation where it is most critical, and bring together service partnerships to tackle complex social problems,” she said.
The new centre will include a mixture of accommodation, administration and communal areas with lounges and laundries.
It will also include counselling and staff facilities.
Dandenong MP John Pandazopoulos also attended the site inspection.
“This centre is welllocated for people in need of shortstay accommodation in the municipalities of Greater Dandenong, Casey, Cardinia and Frankston,” Mr Pandazopoulos said.