The largest rapidly growing cohort of Australians experiencing homelessness are women over 55. Cost-of-living is a tightening noose on all Australians. Combine that with concerning levels of domestic and family violence, the effects are devastating.
Over the last decade, though the threat has been present and alarming, inaction has only made the situation worse. Ten years ago, Dennis van Someren, a longstanding member of the Kenthurst Rotary, became troubled by the number of women and children endangered and at risk of homelessness. Together with a friend, Dennis took on the challenge to try and make a dent in the problem by founding local charity, Transitional Community Housing (TCH).
‘It was a community driven thing,’ explains Dennis, Director of TCH. ‘Everyone must own the homelessness and housing crisis. We can’t rely on governments to take immediate action because they haven’t done it.’
In the beginning, the charity was first known as The Kenthurst Project and was hoped to have men’s sheds convert caravans to house those in need. But with development application issues and permits, and after a forum where Women’s Community Shelter’s CEO Annabelle Daniels stated that the fasted growing cohort of homeless people are women over 55, the initiative evolved.
Now, Transitional Community Housing are in partnership with Wesley Community Housing, Women’s Community Shelters, Hills Community Aid, other players in the homelessness sector, and have support from organisations like Bendigo Bank Galston. Their reach has spread beyond just Kenthurst.
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, the waitlist for public housing in the 2023-24 period was 547 days. TCH currently has six properties that has helped shelter 31 people. As a registered community housing provider, the goal is to offer temporary accommodations to alleviate the wait time for social housing.
‘The biggest ask we’ve got are finding houses in a way that is cost effective,’ says Ian Thomson, Chair of TCH. ‘There are more houses empty than there are people homeless. With granny flats and rooms as well, we could house those people in threat of homelessness.’
Donations are vital for the work Transitional Community Housing do in the local area. To purchase more houses, to spread awareness, and to protect women and children in crisis. From the community, Transitional Community Housing is looking for homeowners who are willing to rent their properties.
To get in contact, visit www.transitionalcommunityhousing.org.au
