A new report by Murray PHN details homelessness statistics and its health impacts, including in Campaspe Shire.
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Megan Fisher
Murray Primary Health Network has released a new report detailing the extent of homelessness in its catchment, including Campaspe Shire.
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With many impacted by housing supply, availability and affordability in Victoria, the network’s report has found the issues are flowing on to affect primary health needs.
In Campaspe, 118 people were recorded as experiencing homelessness, while a further 122 were recorded as marginally housed, the ninth highest rate in the network of 22 local government areas.
Per 1000 people experiencing homelessness in Central Victoria, mental health conditions, asthma, arthritis and other long-term conditions were recorded as the most common.
Murray PHN chief executive Matt Jones said those experiencing homelessness or unstable housing situations often found it difficult to break a poor health cycle.
Murray PHN chief executive Matt Jones.
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“Poor health can undermine housing stability or lead to homelessness through loss of income or increased care needs,” he said.
“At the same time, unstable or inadequate housing can worsen health due to stress, unsafe living conditions and lack of access to health services.”
Life expectancy for people experiencing homelessness is greatly reduced, with people dying up to 40 years younger than other Australians.
The fastest growing group experiencing homelessness is in people over 65, but those aged between 10 to 25 represent the highest proportion of homeless.
Mr Jones said while state and federal governments were striving to increase housing stock, community organisations were working now to assist those struggling.
“Those of us who enjoy the comfort and security of stable housing don’t always recognise that people just like us can end up homeless through no fault of their own,” he said.
“A stable roof over your family’s head is not a luxury — it is one of the basic building blocks of life, and should not be too much to expect as a member of a first world society.”
According to peak body Homelessness Australia, domestic violence and cost of living were the biggest drivers of homelessness nationally in June.
Following a surge in the past two years, 14,520 people in Victoria sought homelessness support due to family violence, up from 13,675 at the same time last year.
The latest Crime Statistics Agency Victoria data lists breach of family violence order as the third most common crime in Campaspe, with 264 criminal incidents last financial year.
From 2022 to 2023, eight of Murray PHN’s LGAs, including Campaspe, had rates of people seeking assistance from family violence specialists that were above the state average.
Homelessness and family violence support services
In Echuca, the following services can be contacted for homelessness support:
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