Cold concrete is cold comfort

"Wesley's support was outstanding," she said. "They helped us with everything: a bond, pet bond, whitegoods, and the first months' rent. If it wasn't for them, I don't know what we would have done."

Wesley Mission Victoria and the Tenants Union of Victoria recently released the results of a research report into rental stress in the Eastern Metropolitan region. Unsurprisingly this research confirmed and provided evidence of what we all know. It is getting tougher and tougher out there. Sickness or job loss, relationship breakdown or even the landlord wanting his property back can be what tips you out onto the street and into a harsh and unforgiving rental market with limited resources.

What is the answer? To begin with we need to change our stereotyped images of what a homeless person looks like, and maybe even banish the un-Christian thought that maybe they just need to pull themselves up by their boot straps. We need to expunge from our heads the phrase "They made their bed; they have to lie in it". Nobody chooses to be homeless.

A change in community attitudes needs to be followed up by flexible government policy, innovation in support services that help break the cycle and as has been said before, give a hand up, not just a hand out. Will we ever see a Melbourne or and Australia free of homelessness? Possibly not, but the sheer size of the problem demands that we all break free of old thinking and work together, at all levels of government and community to see better outcomes.

Old policies that led to a real lack of affordable housing need to be thrown out and investment in this vital area must grow. An ounce of investment now will result in a pound of better outcomes longer term. It just needs courage to invest. In the USA they have recognised the errors of the past as they face a seemingly intractable housing problem, the roots of which go back to decisions made by President Reagan.

Nobody denies that Governments today of all colours be they State or Commonwealth are facing tough economic conditions. Choices have to be made, hard choices. But we also expect these choices to be compassionate.

In Victoria the public service is being trimmed and jobs will go. In the midst of all of this, cuts to funding in some key homeless support services can slip by unnoticed. The demand for services and support is growing in leaps and bounds, yet the resources directed here are shrinking let alone keeping pace with the increased demand.

Taking part in the CEO Sleep Out evoked some very strong emotions for me. I didn't expect it to be such a moving experience. Despite my aching back and lack of sleep, I recommend people take part, at least once. You don't have to enjoy it, you just have to survive it, and compared to what the 105,000 people living on the streets of Australia face every single night, it's not much to sacrifice.

Remember, there but for the grace of God, go you and I.