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🇦🇺 Australia /Culture & Society

Death of man experiencing homelessness in rural town prompts call for help

From ABC Australia · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • The death of a homeless man in Millicent, South Australia, has spurred calls for increased support for the region's homeless population.
  • The 63-year-old man was found unresponsive under a vacant building's verandah last month.
  • Community groups are providing meals, but advocates stress the need for safe, accessible accommodation, especially during cold weather.

The recent death of a man experiencing homelessness in the small rural town of Millicent, South Australia, has ignited urgent calls for greater support services for vulnerable individuals in the region. The 63-year-old man was discovered unresponsive last month beneath the verandah of an unoccupied building on Davenport Street.

As rough sleepers get turned away from the more secure locations they've had for a long time, they're now occupying public spaces.

— David WalshawDescribing the increasing visibility of rough sleepers in public areas due to lack of secure options.

This tragic incident has galvanized the community to advocate for more resources for those without stable housing. It coincides with the state's Department of Human Services activating an extreme weather Code Blue across South Australia. Wattle Range council member David Walshaw noted that dozens of people in the town of 5,000 face housing insecurity. "As rough sleepers get turned away from the more secure locations they've had for a long time, they're now occupying public spaces," he said, adding that the man's death has "raised an awareness, particularly in this cold weather about what supports are available."

It's raised an awareness, particularly in this cold weather about what supports are available.

— David WalshawConnecting the man's death to increased community awareness of homelessness issues during cold weather.

Walshaw expressed distress over the man's passing, stating, "But nevertheless passing away at a canopy at the rear of the [former] community club is not what we expect in this day and in our community that prides itself on supporting the most vulnerable." While temperatures in the South East have dropped near or below freezing on several July mornings, Homelessness Australia CEO Kate Colvin warned that cold and wet conditions pose significant risks. "The biggest killer of people experiencing homelessness is deaths of despair," Colvin stated, emphasizing the critical need for safe accommodation.

But nevertheless passing away at a canopy at the rear of the [former] community club is not what we expect in this day and in our community that prides itself on supporting the most vulnerable.

— David WalshawExpressing dismay at the circumstances of the homeless man's death in a community that values support for the vulnerable.

Local community groups are stepping in where possible. Millicent Shares a Plate, a volunteer organization, prepares weekly meals for those in financial distress, with meals often distributed within 24 hours. Group member Moira Neagle called it "shameful" that a death was required to bring wider attention to the issue. Walshaw highlighted that while community efforts are valuable, after-hours services become less accessible in towns further from major centers, contrasting with the availability seen in capital cities.

The biggest killer of people experiencing homelessness is deaths of despair.

— Kate ColvinHighlighting the severe mental and physical risks faced by homeless individuals, particularly during harsh weather.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Australia. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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