Most of us whip out our warm winter clothing, put our heaters on, and enjoy warm meals and hot drinks under a blanket to snuggle up with a good book or to watch a movie in our creature comforts when the temperature drops during the cold winter months. For many people who are living on the streets this is but a wish come true.
While winter is harsh for most living outdoors in the cold, the homeless are with us throughout the year and through all sorts of weather and temperatures. Whether it’s warm, hot or cold outside, they are in need of accommodation of their own.
Australia’s Low income families are part of the growing numbers of people on the waiting list for affordable. In March 2017 The ABC reported that 1537 homes owned by public housing are sitting empty while the numbers seeking affordable housing is rapidly increasing due to unaffordable rental prices and the high cost of living. There are over 60,000 people on The Dept. of Housing waiting list n NSW while run-down public housing homes wait to be fixed by the government.
According to Homelessness Australia statistics show there are currently 105,237 people in Australia who are homeless of which 56% are male and 44% are female. “The rate of homelessness (which takes into account population density) is 49 out of every 10,000 people (0.5% of the population).”
Eternity News points out that Australia’s 105,000 or so homeless aren’t just living on the street. Some of them are sleeping at the home of a friend or family member, which is better known as ‘Couch surfing’. They might be sleeping on someone’s floor, staying in a caravan, garage or boarding house but wouldn’t consider themselves homeless because of having a roof over their heads.
aifc Admin
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Where to Get Help
Talk to your doctor who can point you in the right direction.
Visit CCAA to search for a Christian counsellor near you.
Visit ACA to search for a counsellor near you.
Free 24/7 Counselling Services
Lifeline on 13 11 14
Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800
MensLine Australia on 1300 789 978
Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467
Beyond Blue on 1300 22 46 36
Headspace on 1800 650 890
Studying at aifc
Have you thought about counselling? It’s a great opportunity to learn how you can extend God’s love and grace to the hurting out in the community.
For those who would like to enrol in aifc’s accredited Christian counselling courses we have two intakes per year for courses commencing around the following months:
- At The beginning of each year in February.
- Mid-Year courses commence in July.
Enrolments open approximately 3 months prior the courses commencing. Enquire now and fill out the form with your details to receive course information by email.
Note: A Masters course in Christian counselling will be introduced in 2018.
Contact aifc Monday to Friday from 9am – 5pm with your enquiries on 6242 5111 or toll free on 1300 721 397
Have you thought about becoming a qualified counsellor? It’s a great opportunity to learn how you can extend God's love and grace to the hurting out in the community.
For those who would like to enrol in aifc’s accredited Christian counselling courses we have two intakes per year for courses commencing around the following months:
Enrolment Season - opens approximately 2 months prior to our courses commencing. Enrol online here during our enrolment season.
We also offer two modes of study:
A Master of Counselling course was introduced in 2018.