CATHOLICCARE
BBN / AUGUST 2020
CatholicCare supports for those in our Diocese facing homelessness A person is homeless when they don’t have a fixed, regular or adequate night-time residence. They may be sleeping in a shelter, couch surfing, sleeping in cars or on the streets. There is no situation that undermines human dignity more than homelessness. The causes may be diverse but the impact is the same - a sense of hopelessness. In Australia, homelessness has increased 13.7 per cent in four years. An interesting fact most people don’t know is that only 6 per cent of homeless people sleep on the street. Homelessness is not a choice but often an outcome of a traumatic unplanned event, or a significant mental health issue, and can be made worse by an unaffordable housing system. There are many reasons people become homeless: • Domestic and family violence • Mental health or drug and alcohol issues • Lack of affordable housing • Marriage or family breakdowns • No visa status after partner/ marriage breakdown • Leaving prison 12 /
• Loss of a partner • Caring for young families reliant on welfare • Loss of work or income, and more. Our specialist housing programs help people at risk of becoming homeless to stay securely housed, and those who are homeless to find and keep a home. CatholicCare’s role includes: • Early intervention and prevention • Providing transitional accommodation and supporting people to find more long-term, stable accommodation • Working with individuals and families to sustain an existing tenancy • Providing practical, emotional and financial assistance • Providing information, referrals and access to other services • Providing support to find and keep a job. In early 2019 the NSW Government signed an agreement to halve street homelessness across the state by 2025. Premier Gladys Berejiklian and the Minister for Social Housing at the time Pru Goward, together with service providers and the City of
Sydney, signed an agreement with a goal to fight street homelessness. This additional funding for the sector was good news but so much more needs to be done. During COVID-19, we supported many individuals and families across our Diocese off the streets and into temporary accommodation. CatholicCare’s Specialist Housing Services (SHS) team commenced weekly outreach initiatives in the community teaming up with Link Housing and supported by local councils. Unprecedented demand for services Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic our Specialist Homeless Services program was already experiencing unprecedented demand for services. The most vulnerable were those who were not eligible for JobKeeper through their place of employment, overseas visa holders who were on temporary sponsorship visas and clients who found themselves without status due to family breakdown after domestic and family violence. CatholicCare were delighted to hear the Together Home program announcement from Families &
