Some of the Central Coast’s most vulnerable people are being supported off the streets and into housing, thanks to a NSW Government program that aims to break the cycle of homelessness.
Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast Adam Crouch said the Together Home program had helped to achieve a 53 per cent reduction in people sleeping rough across the Central Coast in the last year.
“In June 2020 I announced the Central Coast would benefit from $2.1 million in Together Home funding, and rough sleepers like Mark from Umina Beach are already receiving housing and support through this program,” Mr Crouch said.
“Rough sleeping is often a symptom of other complex challenges in life, which is why it is critical to provide housing as well as wrap-around support to help people rebuild their lives and improve their health and wellbeing.”
Together Home involves securing homes from the private rental market and providing intensive tailored support, and is being delivered by Pacific Link Housing.
CEO of Pacific Link Housing Ian Lynch said it was encouraging to see the NSW Government acknowledge that community housing providers, such as Pacific Link Housing, are integral in providing solutions to help end homelessness.
“Pacific Link Housing has successfully transitioned 26 clients who were previously sleeping rough into safe, secure and stable housing with appropriate ongoing support. We look forward to delivering the second tranche of the Together Home program which will see a further 12 participants housed and supported.” Mr Lynch said.
The NSW Government, in partnership with Health on the Streets and Uniting NSW.ACT, is also undertaking regular assertive outreach patrols.
Youth and Homeless Service Lead at Uniting NSW.ACT Vicki Daley said assertive outreach makes an important first contact with rough sleepers who need housing and wrap-around supports.
“Our Uniting Doorways homeless outreach program identifies rough sleepers and refers them on to the Together Home program. It’s great to know that once we contact rough sleepers, and if they choose to be housed, we can link them to wrap-around services and sustainable housing,” Ms Daley said.
The Together Home program is part of the NSW Government’s commitment to halve street sleeping across NSW by 2025.