Kyabram feels cost of living crunch

“It has a bit to do with the hangover of COVID, but is more a sign of the times and the pressure that faces not only individuals, but also families, to afford average day-to-day living expenses,” Captain Targett said

According to the 12-year officer with the Salvos, people in Kyabram are relying on family or friends, even good-natured strangers for a roof over their head.

“In the past fortnight I’ve dealt with three who are facing eviction and I have probably a dozen, easily, on the books who don’t have something they can call home,” she said.

“I’ve spoken to groups in Kyabram about this and described what I see every day.

“Unfortunately a lot of people are just unaware of this situation.

“People have their own lives, they are busy, they pay their bills, drop the kids off at school and generally go about their lives.

“Hey would have no idea that the person they just passed in the street is homeless,” Captain Targett said.

She said it was almost at the SOS point, where she was looking for anyone out there who could offer something to these people

“If they can help on the housing front they should call me,” she said.

Captain Targett, who works from her Unitt St office three days a week, said it was not only tangible items like food, furniture and a place to live that she was being asked to help with.

“The need for mental health support is massive,” she said.

“Many people need to talk about how they feel about what they are going through.

“There is help available, people just need to reach out.”

Captain Targett spent more than a decade in Tasmania prior to arriving in Kyabram and said many of Kyabram’s “unaffected’’ population would be shocked as to what was going on in their own community.

“The amount of people seeking support has more than doubled and none can be pigeon-holed into a single category,” she said.

“These are not all unemployed and homeless people and it is not just the elderly.

“These are people with part-time jobs who are unable to make ends meet.”

High occupancy in caravan parks, overflowing with fruit pickers and visitors means even temporary accommodation is difficult for the displaced.

“There are very few rental properties on the market and people are being pushed out onto the street,” Captain Targett said.

She opens her doors to a constant flow of people on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

“People can leave their name and number on the answering machine if I am not in the office,” she said.

Salvation Army services extend to those who are overwhelmed by the costs associated with everyday living.

“We have financial advisers as part of the Salvation Army network,” she said.

“I can help those people who may have never filled out a Centrelink form before.

“That is a nightmare the first time round.”

Captain Targett said something as simple as the price of petrol had thrown people for a six.

“Some people we are helping are struggling to afford to get to and from work,” she said.

Captain Targett said the Salvation Army was not alone in offering support, citing St Vinnies and places like Kyabram’s Community Church, on McEwan Rd, that had the Food Barn operational a few times a week.

“KCLC also offers some support for people in difficult situations,” she said.

Captain Targett implored people who found themselves “deperate for help” to reach out for assistance.

“There are people out there who can assist you,” she said.

With COVID-19 again on the rise, and government support drying up completely on June 30, Captain Targett said there had been an influx in the past week of requests for assistance.

“I’ve done grocery deliveries to Stanhope, Rushworth, Girgarre and Tongala, along with people in Kyabram,” she said.

“If people are stuck at home with COVID they can choose to do a click and collect, which I will pick up and take the groceries to them.”