WODONGA teenagers were surprised to hear hundreds of people – 364 in the 2011 census – in their city did not have a place to call home.
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On Monday, students at Wodonga Middle Years College took part in an art project that will be displayed during National Homelessness Week, which begins on August 7.
Wodonga Council’s Anthea Maher said the participants brainstormed the meaning of a home.
“Some of the boys did a couch with a Nintendo, that’s what made it a home for them,” she said.
“The girls talked about having their own wardrobe.”
Beyond Housing’s Cazz Kardol said the project aimed to increase awareness of those who were homeless.
“It’s not just the old man that everyone has this perception of, it could be anyone here,” she said.
Ms Kardol told the students a barrier like job loss, poor mental health, family breakdown or drug and alcohol problems could lead to homelessness.
“If we all do something, that barrier can be broken,” she said. “No one’s born with a dream of being homeless.”
