Body of elderly homeless man found inside his car amid national homelessness crisis
The body of an elderly homeless man has been found outside an Adelaide men’s shelter over the weekend, as the country faces a growing homelessness crisis.
The man in his 80s, known as Dominic, was found inside his car in the early hours of Sunday morning in Whitemore Square in the state’s CBD.
Those close to the man fear he may have succumbed to near freezing temperatures as it plummeted to as low as 3C the evening before he was found.
“I came out to catch the bus and there was someone banging on the window,” Damian, who lives at the shelter told 7NEWS.
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It is understood the man was found inside a white Toyota LandCruiser, which witnesses told the broadcaster he was living in.
A homeless man has died inside his car overnight on Whitmore Square, Adelaide. 7NEWS Credit: Channel 7
Others at the St Vincent’s centre said Dominic generally kept to himself.
“I was shocked … you know, I really teared up because he was a very polite man,” Thomas Gaye, who worked at the centre, told 7NEWS.
“He comes out here and sleeps in his car. He can go in there but, you know, he sticks to himself like a lot of guys do.”
Police have ruled the death as “non-suspicious” and will prepare a report for the coroner.
The tragedy comes amid a $9.3bn boost to the new national housing agreement starting on Monday, with the new agreement aimed at helping combat homelessness, provide crisis support and build and repair social housing.
“I know first hand the life-changing power that a secure roof over your head provides,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said.
“That’s why my government is committed to delivering more homes, more quickly, in more parts of Australia.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Minister for Housing Julie Collins. NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman Credit: News Corp Australia
Housing and Homelessness Minister Julie Collins said the agreement included a doubling of Commonwealth funding for homelessness that each state and territory government will be required to match.
“This historic new agreement with states and territories will provide much-needed funding to support homelessness services across the country and help build more homes for Australia,” Ms Collins said.
“The agreement is another important demonstration of our government’s collaborative approach to addressing Australia’s housing challenges.
“We understand that working together is the best way to ensure more Australians have a safe and affordable place to call home.
“That’s why collaboration is at the heart of our $32bn Homes for Australia plan and the ambitious national target to build 1.2 million homes by the end of the decade.”
The Adelaide state government has called a four day “code blue” extreme weather response to help support the Adelaide’s homeless as temperatures are expected to plummet.