WHEN Reverend George Capsis started his Community Outreach Ministries 30 years ago, he mainly dealt with homeless youth. Now he deals with homelessness across all ages.
"The community does not see the extent of the problem," Mr Capsis said.
"I get calls from the public pointing out the odd homeless person they see and ask me to assist them. But the public do not see the many people who sleep on people's lounges, in their cars or wherever they can find shelter sleeping rough."
Mr Capsis and his team of volunteers run three Sutherland Shire homes that provide crisis accommodation.
"Half of the people who live in my homeless hostels have mental health issues from drug or sexual abuse," he said.
"Others have fallen on hard times through no fault of their own and become destitute.
"These people are on two types of government benefits — a disability or age pension worth between $800-$900 per fortnight or New Start benefit worth between $500-$600 per fortnight.
"There is very little low-cost accommodation in the shire where these people can live.
"All of the homeless people living in my homes want to work and do get bits of work from time to time. There are not enough jobs out there so cutting the dole after a certain time only adds to their destitution and despair."
His house in Ascot Place, Miranda, has six permanent residents and has some emergency accommodation.
"We found this place in 1994 and it was bought through NSW Housing. We had a lease and the deal was that we are responsible for all general maintenance on the property," he said.
"We have done all the maintenance on the property since then and have provided safe housing and support to a countless number of people over years."
But he said they have struggled to keep the home open since NSW Housing brought in a new registration process about five years ago.
"They want us to spend thousands of dollars on the property over which they refuse to renew our lease and from which we could be evicted any time," he said.
More homeless in the shire
THE number of people sleeping rough in Sutherland Shire has grown, a homelessness round-table conference held by Sutherland Shire Council was told this week.
Anecdotal evidence indicates there are approximately 30 homeless people living in the Royal National Park and approximately 12 people are known to be living in various parks and reserves, or sleeping rough in public places.
These figures do not include secondary homelessness, characterised by temporary unstable accommodation in the homes of friends or family.
Solving the problem is much more complex than providing them with housing, the conference was told.
There are different types of homelessness — rough sleeping, couch surfing and people presenting to homeless services seeking accommodation and support.
There has also been an increase in tenancy support from families that are just on the cusp of homelessness.
Perhaps the husband or wife has lost a job and the family is presenting themselves to agencies asking for support until they can financially get back on track.
While actual figures are hard to collect, the most recent data from the 2011 census broke homelessness in the following categories: rough sleepers, 1920; couch surfing, 4933; in service system, 4926; boarding houses, 6507; and severely overcrowded dwellings, 9568.
AGE NO BARRIER
The 2011 census also broke down the age groups
for the homeless: under 12 years, 3632; 12-18 years, 2642; 19-24 years, 4277; 25-34 years, 5361; 35-44 years, 3890; 45-54 years, 3859; 55-64 years, 2554; 65-74 years, 1283; 75 years and over, 693.
The homelessness round table examined new approaches to homelessness. In attendance were St Vincent de Paul, The Salvation Army, Wesley Mission, Orana, St George Migrant Resource Centre, Helping Hand, Partners in Recovery, Project Youth and the NSW Department of Family and Community Services.
Have you seen evidence of homelessness in the shire?
