AN aged care facility for the homeless and vulnerable cannot come too soon in light of recent reports of squatting in some of Orange’s derelict buildings.
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Squatting and ongoing damage at the former base hospital has been a well-known fact for years, but with Orange City Council due to carry out demolition works in the near future, we’re hearing other former health buildings are being used, namely the former Orange Community Health Centre on Sale Street.
The problem is twofold.
Buildings allowed to become abandoned and derelict create an opportunity for vandals and once the damage starts, it more often than not continues.
The result is what we currently have at the former base hospital, and that is an eyesore in one of Orange’s prime locations where people do not feel safe.
This has been allowed to happen since 2011.
CareWest has made welcome efforts to improve the precinct after purchasing Apex House and Anson Cottage and turning them into a community hub that is already well-utilised, but it remains the lone wolf.
The base hospital itself is about to be cleared, but the Sale Street buildings remain empty and although they’re earmarked for sale, it is unclear who they will be sold to and for what purpose.
While squatters themselves do little harm if all they seek is a roof over their head and protection from what has been an unusually cold spring, it highlights the second, deeper problem because they are not receiving the help and care they need.
When the $16.7 million Mission Australia aged care facility was first announced, it was responding to that need.
With 60 beds on offer, it is the most direct solution so far in addressing the homelessness issue and it is hoped it will make a significant difference to the size of Orange’s homeless population.
It is encouraging to see the wider community support the Mission Australia facility by making blankets and holding charity functions to fund its construction.
But according to Homelessness Australia, one in 200 people are homeless on any given night and 86 per cent of those people are younger than 55.
But if younger people, who are not eligible for aged care, are finding themselves homeless, more will have to be done to ensure they have a place to go.
