By John Van Klaveren
GEELONG desperately needs emergency accommodation for single parents escaping dangerous or stressful domestic situations, according to Parents without Partners Community Services (PWPCS).
Secretary Barbara Schembri said up to 100 parents and 200 children needed accommodation in the region.
“There’s always been a need for this in Geelong because there’s only one such emergency facility, run by the Salvos,” she said.
“Geelong’s going to be tough for many people, with companies closing and jobs going. There will only be more unemployment and families getting stressed.”
Ms Schembri said Geelong was attractive to single parents for its cheaper cost of living than metropolitan areas.
“Single parents will often move to cheaper areas but they’re terribly disadvantaged when it comes to private renting – they’re at the bottom of the scale – and there’s not much government rental available.”
Ms Schembri said PWPCS planned to set up an emergency accommodation facility to cope with the demand.
“We’ll look at a range of options, perhaps by purchasing a motel or caravan park with cabins, or a building. We’ll apply for grants because we probably need $1 million.”
The organisation has opened an op shop with a difference in Edols St, North Geelong, to assist with fundraising.
Manager Lyn Hutcheon said the PWP Op Shop sold unpriced items.
“Make us an offer,” she said.
Customers were already arriving despite it’s recent opening.
“There aren’t that many Geelong-only op shops left, most of them are part of larger or national organisations,” Ms Hutcheon said.
“All our staff are volunteers and no money raised goes to administration. It will all go towards establishing our Geelong emergency accommodation.”
