With the Federal Election upon us I feel it is timely to put forward a case for more federal help to combat homelessness in the Eurobodalla Shire.
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We were pleased with the funding announcements for Headspace and rehab facilities for young people in the in the Eurobodalla Shire, but are so far disappointed with the lack of attention by all candidates in the upcoming election to homelessness, men and women agedover 25 with mental illness, addiction and criminalbehaviour who have "slipped through the cracks".
Since January 2019, Hope House has supported 13 men with seven current. All are homeless, have mental health issues, criminal behaviour and addiction.
This does not only happen to men, it includes women as well.
Dr James Langley, (Bay Post/Moruya Examiner, April 11) has called for more funding to be made available for the promised Eurobodalla hospital, less out-of-pocket expenses for patients and more bulk billing.
This is an issue on the whole of the South Coast.
All clients who come to Hope House cannot get access to health services, which is the right of every Australian no matter who they are and where they come from.
READ MORE: All the latest health news here
Hope House in Batemans Bay is one such facility that relies heavily on donations from private enterprise and individuals to keep it going. Hope House acknowledges the help received so far from Bega MP Andrew Constance and Eurobodalla Shire Mayor Liz Innes.
The board and management of Community Life Batemans Bay Inc is today calling on all candidates for the seat of Gilmore in the next federal election to commit to helping obtain grants for Hope House to enable it to continue assisting homeless men.
The management and board are keen for candidates to visit our facility in Batemans Bay to see first hand how Hope House operates. So far the Independent Candidate Grant Schultz is the only one to visit during the campaign.
Some parties are claiming to be "Parties for the People", yet the majority of funding pledges have been for infrastructure.
Hope House doesn't need "Lip service" it needs genuine promises of help.
For more information and to arrange a time to visit please call Hope House Manager Shirley Diskon 02 4472 2981.
READ MORE: GP James Langley's federal election wishlist
