PEOPLE sleeping rough in the local area have been left out in the cold by the State Government, which has decided to only tackle the issue within the Adelaide city, Member for Light Tony Piccolo says.

Despite the State Government’s steps to counter homelessness by providing accommodation to those without shelter during the winter, the only measures taken so far have extended to 266 people within the CBD.

According to Shelter SA, more than 100 people across Gawler, Victor Harbor, Port Lincoln, Port Augusta, Adelaide Hills, Mount Barker and the Riverland are still without any form of housing or shelter by the start of winter.

Since that report, a ‘Code Blue’ extreme winter weather response was issued in regional SA, which will assist the homeless in Port Augusta, Whyalla, Riverland, Mt Gambier and Murray Bridge – but not for Gawler or the Barossa.

Mr Piccolo said he welcomes the move to accommodate those sleeping rough in the CBD, but more needs to be done to include the many others in the same circumstances around Adelaide’s suburbs and surrounding towns.

“The CBD initiative is a good first step, but nothing has been done for people in the suburbs or the regions,” said Mr Piccolo.

“The New South Wales State Government has raised their housing stock by buying up rental properties to use as welfare housing for those displaced by COVID-19, making great strides to reduce the numbers of those sleeping rough in Sydney.

“The simple fact is that Shelter SA states that there are not enough houses in their program currently to adequately look after those still without a safe place to sleep.

“We want to see steps taken by the Marshall Liberal Government to increase the number of houses available to families in need and to expand the efforts beyond the confines of Adelaide’s CBD, as right now we aren’t seeing anything to suggest the Premier is taking the plights of these people seriously.”

Minister for Human Services Michelle Lensink said the State Government does in fact have a long-term plan in place that includes the region.

“The State Government’s new $550 million housing and homelessness strategy is a state plan and includes the regions,” she said.

“Our new strategy aims to help South Australians into homeownership, prevent people falling into homelessness and ensure public housing is available for our most vulnerable.

“We’ve embarked on long overdue and much-needed reform of the state’s homelessness system, with the aim of reducing homelessness and ensure more South Australians have long-term, safe and stable accommodation – and keep it.”

Locals experiencing homelessness are encouraged to call the 24/7 Homelessness Gateway on 1800 003 308 for support.