SECURING HOUSING FOR THE HOMELESS

Rough sleepers across NSW are about to benefit from the largest housing response dedicated to rough sleepers in NSW history with a program to secure homes rapidly from the private rental market underway.

Minister for Families, Communities and Disability Services Gareth Ward said the $36 million Together Home project would deliver stable housing and wrap-around support for hundreds of people experiencing homelessness.

The Together Home program uses Housing First principles to provide stability for people who are sleeping rough with the aim of building individual capacity and capabilities. Key objectives include:

  • Rapidly rehousing people sleeping rough during the COVID-19 pandemic and facilitate pathways into longer term housing;

  • Providing access to culturally appropriate health, mental health and wellbeing services;

  • Building connections including with family, community and culture;

  • Supporting daily living and self-management skills; and

  • Providing structured activities including social groups, education or employment.

The project will be delivered by the NSW Government, in collaboration with 19 community housing providers, specialist homelessness services and healthcare workers, including Argyle Housing throughout the Murrumbidgee.

People who are Aboriginal are a priority cohort for this program. Packages will be provided to people who:

  • were or are street sleeping and who currently are or have recently been in Temporary Accommodation

  • in receipt of or eligible for a Centrelink income

  • aged 18 years or above

  • approved or is eligible for Priority Housing at Risk (HPAR) June 2020

  • does not have any visa restrictions that will impact long term housing outcomes

  • has been assessed using the VI-SPDAT or other assessment tool as suitable for the program

    Clients with accompanying children are eligible for the program provided they meet other eligibility criteria.

Joe McGirr Office