Adjournment
Crisis care
David HODGETT (Croydon) (17:15): (601) My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Housing, and the action I seek is for the minister to fix the crisis care accommodation in the eastern suburbs so that my constituent who is currently homeless in the following circumstances can be placed into crisis care. My constituent is a 45-year-old female who attends Maroondah Hospital three times a week for up to 4½ hours a day for dialysis. She has a medical port in her chest which requires constant cleaning to prevent infection, blood clots and other complications. She has high needs and requires a bath, as she needs to keep the port as dry as possible. She is a victim of domestic violence and has contacted me out of sheer desperation. She has contacted all the local crisis care organisations in the area, and she feels that no-one is taking her seriously. My office spent hours on the phone calling every agency in the east for help, only to be told that they have nothing available or do not have any funding to put her up in hotels. Agencies are having to prioritise all their cases, and with the massive increase in demand, families are taking priority over single people.
However, this is an urgent case that requires equal attention. My constituent is on the waiting list for public housing, but with the massive wait times and demand for housing it could be years. This is a life-or-death situation. My constituent has major health issues and requires immediate accommodation. She cannot be homeless with no access to bathroom facilities. It is concerning enough to hear that a 45-year-old woman has these kinds of health issues, but what is more concerning is the stress and anxiety it is causing her, not having a safe, stable roof over her head. My constituent deserves to have housing and a warm bed where she can concentrate on her health. Minister, I urge you to fix crisis care accommodation. More funding and support are required by these agencies so they can help change the circumstances of my constituent and others in our state. I will be happy to provide details of my constituent confidentially to you in order for you to provide the necessary assistance.