In less than a decade, the number of people in Victoria living without a home has risen dramatically. Today, more and more people are dying on the street from exposure, disease and drug overdose.

Currently, there are about 1,500 people living in the capital region without homes. Without immediate action and support, that number will quadruple in size within five years. About half of this group suffer from either mental illness or drug or alcohol addiction, half of whom suffer from both. All face extreme poverty and very few will ever find their way off the street without significant intervention.

The conditions for homelessness were created over many years and despite the urgency of the present situation, this crisis will not be rectified overnight. But it can and will be solved.

Homeless, perhaps, but hopeless never.