Mental health care for homeless people has been pushed aside as the Port Phillip Council work towards strict regulations for rough sleepers including infringements for sleeping on council land, roads and footpaths.
The intersection of mental health and homelessness in Victoria is emerging as a major crisis, where homeless people will allegedly suffer hefty fines and strict regulations in Port Phillip, whilst mental illness response services remain critically underfunded.
Port Phillip has one of the highest rates of people experiencing homelessness. Reports estimate approximately 25 people are classified as homeless in the community, whilst at least 65% of these people experience mental health issues.
A local community advocate that wished to remain anonymous says “The homelessness issue is as much a mental health issue…There is a far too high percentage of people with mental health issues that should be in supported housing. You cannot solve the homelessness issue without solving for the mental health issue.”
Under the Mental Health and Wellbeing Act of 2022, a person, including a homeless person, can be detained for mental health assessment or treatment if they are deemed to be at risk of serious harm to themselves or others.
However, community members report there are not enough facilities to do so.
The community advocate comments further. They say “the system is broken”
“Hospitals are overcrowded, and there aren’t enough facilities to take in those who need help.”
“We closed mental institutions years ago, but we never replaced them with proper housing or care options.”
Community members have raised concern with local council members after the closure of important mental health institutions such as St Kilda’s Gatwick Hotel in 2018, has caused the disruption of long-standing networks of response strategies to homelessness, and, has dispersed vulnerable individuals throughout the streets of Port Phillip instead of providing help.
Last year, a mental health conference held in Perth by the Western Australian Association for Mental Health estimated that it would cost 6 billion dollars if the government was to rebuild adequate mental health infrastructure across Australia.
This was turned down by the government as there was already a 9-billion-dollar investment on crisis management in place.
Yet, what community members argue is that if the government had sufficient infrastructure, there would be no need for such a large investment on reacting to the problem.
Local community member and Geelong-Toorak Times Newspaper editor, John Michael Pacholli adds “the funds put towards temporary responses are draining vital resources and mis-using authorised officials.”
Regardless of the cause-and-effect between mental health issues and homelessness, the Port Phillip council has said it is considering stricter local laws for homeless people, including fines for those sleeping rough.
Residents are concerned about the morality and effectiveness of such measures.
The recent council meetings have confirmed “there are local laws currently being worked towards” and “a boost to the budget for a community action plan”, suggesting these regulations could soon allow police and council officials to forcibly move the homeless from council land.
Whilst officials argue this is a pathway to solving the housing crisis, residents see it as a temporary measure that doesn’t address the root causes of homelessness.
Residents across social media platforms call it a “hypocrisy”, and “unlawful”, bringing awareness to the fact that the council seems to “support the right to be homeless when it suits them.”
The council has proposed that the upcoming infringements will prevent crime and improve safety for residents. Although residents believe the root of the issue is within the social housing systems and undertrained staff to rehabilitate people that qualify for these services.
John Michael Pacholli says “the amendments seem to be an oxymoronic objective and potentially very wasteful, by trying to bolster support to continuously repeat the same strategies as before, only fiercer.”
“St Kilda’s historical reputation has become a go-to for mentally ill beggars with little hope for decent care.”
The council’s plan to ‘move on’ rough sleepers will be prepared for council by May, and community members have continued to advocate for change until the date arrives.
