Benjamin Millar
People at risk of falling through the cracks throughout the coronavirus crisis are receiving help with essential care for their wellbeing and survival.
Not-for-profit community health organisation cohealth’s homelessness and health support team has been partnering with Tenants Victoria to provide outreach services to Laverton’s Honey Hush caravan park as well as dozens of rooming houses across Melbourne’s north and west including Maribyrnong and Hobsons Bay.
The outreach has continued throughout the COVID-19 lockdown, focusing on delivery of essential items such as food and blankets, housing support, referrals to health services and delivering public health messaging.
The teams also provide mobile COVID testing and distribute facemasks, talking with residents about how to stay safe and well.
cohealth chief executive Nicole Bartholomeusz said said COVID-19 restrictions have highlighted the important role that outreach workers play in the health of communities, particularly among people on low incomes who are often pushed into rooming houses and caravan parks because it’s all they can afford.
“People living in marginal accommodation often face additional barriers when trying to access the health information and support they need, meaning they often miss out on mainstream health services,” she said.
“During a pandemic, this is especially concerning.”
Ms Bartholomeusz said people rooming houses and caravan parks are often the last resort for people on very low incomes, so they become concentrated with people with a complex range of health and social problems.
“In addition to mental health, people in sub-standard accommodation are prone to other health concerns including chronic illness, poor diet and nutrition, respiratory issues and drug and alcohol addiction,” she said.
“The outreach team helps connect people who are struggling with essential services.”
