The site a small group of people has called ‘home’ for the past month is now looking vastly different.
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Mel, Ben and Anne had been sleeping on a thin mat on the cold concrete floor outside Civic Hall, with their few belongings piled beside them.
Now, the site has been cleaned and a temporary fence erected.
City of Ballarat director of community development Neville Ivey said outreach services had secured accommodation for the group.
"Works to the front exterior of Civic Hall were suspended while accommodation for those sleeping rough was secured by outreach services,” he said.
“This occurred today (Friday), and works will re-commence next week."
Many members of the group who had been ‘sleeping rough’ had experienced long term homelessness, moving from place to place on Ballarat streets or sleeping on friend’s couches.
Ben had been homeless for five years.
Anne and Mel are among an increasing demographic that is changing the face of homelessness.
Both women are ‘rough sleepers’ and are older, alone and have experienced life circumstances, including violence, family breakdown, unemployment and health issues, that have led them into poverty and without a safe place to call home.
It is understood the group has received support from Uniting Care Ballarat.