Adelaide's drastic heatwave is exacerbating the plight of homeless people, with many vulnerable people suffering heatstroke, dehydration and other physical and emotional distress, according to leading community service group Mission Australia.

Mission Australia State Director Mark Herselman said homeless families supported by the organisation’s family accommodation services at The Parks and young homeless people who seek support from Mission Australia’s Hindmarsh Centre had been hit hard.

“This heatwave is having a massive impact on those who are homeless,” Mr Herselman said. “Apart from all the usual issues related to homelessness, we are seeing many cases of sunburn and heatstroke, due to clients’ inability to maintain fluids and find shade.”

“One client, who has been sleeping in a car and had no access to food or drink because of a number of difficult personal and financial issues, became violently ill from heatstroke,” he said. “Luckily he has recovered, but it could easily have been a tragedy if he had not been helped in time.”

Mr Herselman said the increased risks and suffering from the heatwave magnified the need for more support for homeless people across Australia.

“The heatwave is uncomfortable for nearly everyone, but most of us are able to sit under shelter and switch on a fan or an air-conditioner,” he said. “We won’t allow people to play sport in this heat, so we shouldn’t tolerate a situation where vulnerable people are exposed to the full force of a heatwave over an extended period.”

“We would therefore hope that police and security officers show some restraint in moving homeless people on at the moment, when it’s obvious they are in a particular space for shade or shelter,” he said. “It’s also important for agencies and other groups that deal with homeless people keep in mind the added issues of the heatwave, and keep plenty of water and sunscreen on hand to give out as the need arises.”

However, longer term solutions – such as prevention, improved crisis accommodation models and access to affordable housing - are the most critical.

“While the temperatures remain so high in South Australia, we should put the heat on the community as a whole to finding real and lasting solutions to homelessness in this State, and beyond,” Mr Herselman said.

For more information, please contact:

Mark Herselman, Mission Australia State Director, 0403 183 002

Chris Rann, Rann Communication, 08 8211 7771 0418 832512