THE shortage of emergency housing for men has been highlighted after a Heywood accused has been remanded in custody.
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A magistrate raised concerns about Christopher Andrew McKenzie's behaviour last Friday and remanded him in custody until Monday after he used a wood splitter to hack into a road.
The 32-year-old of Scott Street, was back in court on Monday but suitable accommodation could not be found for him.
Police officers have opposed bail due to Mr McKenzie's escalating behaviour.
Solicitor Xavier Farrelly said long-term accommodation was simply not available.
He said the best option was a couple of nights in a Warrnambool motel so that a mental health assessment could be undertaken which could lead to other options.
The solicitor said Mr McKenzie's issues include a suspended jail sentence hanging over his head and the possibility he suffers from an acquired brain injury.
Mr Farrelly requested his client be released on bail until Wednesday when a progress report would be available for the court.
Magistrate Cynthia Toose said the situation was far from ideal.
"The problem is that young single men require accommodation and they are always last on the list," she said.
A court officer said if Mr McKenzie started to engage with the Western Regional Alcohol and Drug Centre and abstained from substance use, he could be eligible for accommodation through WRAD or the Salvation Army
But, there is a significant waiting list and no accommodation immediately available.
Ms Toose said she was loathed to bail Mr McKenzie and find out later in the week there was no accommodation.
She remanded Mr McKenzie in custody until Wednesday when the bail application will reconvene.
Last Friday Dartmoor police Senior Constable Mark McLean said Mr McKenzie had been living with his mother in Heywood.
On May 14 Mr McKenzie returned to the address, argued and yelled and his mother before threatening a neighbour with a piece of wood and then a wood splitter.
He then got in his unregistered Ford Territory and nudged his mother's car out of the way while she and his sister were sitting in the car.
Mr McKenzie drove off despite being a disqualified driver.
He returned to the property the next day but his mother locked him out.
Mr McKenzie got hold of the wood splitter and started chopping into the roadway, frightening those nearby and prompting a number of calls to police.
Police attended and Mr McKenzie claimed he had no idea why they had been contacted.
Senior Constable McLean said police were concerned about Mr McKenzie's escalating behaviour.
"His mother no longer wants him living with her," he said.
"He has prior convictions in South Australia, he has ties there and we have concerns he is a flight risk. He has recently come back to Victoria," he said.
