Housing Trust is preparing to transition rough sleepers into secure housing after being awarded 22 places in the NSW government’s $36 million Together Home project.
Announced today day by Minister for Families, Communities and Disability Services Gareth Ward, Housing Trust is one of 19 providers across the State to deliver the program and is now seeking suitable one and two-bedroom properties in the Illawarra’s private rental market.
The homes will provide stable accommodation, linked to wraparound supports such as culturally appropriate health and wellbeing services to people sleeping rough during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Housing Trust CEO Michele Adair welcomed the government’s initiative.
“Our team is already working to secure properties in the local area and we welcome discussions with landlords and agents who have properties available for long term affordable rent,” she said. “There has been a dramatic increase in the awareness and understanding of homelessness in our community. We’re finding that people are looking to help and this is a perfect way to provide someone in need with a safe and secure home.”
The Together Home project will help address people’s support needs, build individual capability, and foster connections to the community.
To deliver this support, Housing Trust will partner with Illawarra agencies to deliver case management to address underlying risk factors associated with homelessness such as mental illness.
Ms Adair said homelessness can affect anyone.
“The community has come to understand the loss of a job, an unexpected illness or marriage breakdown are all things that can lead to homelessness and it can happen to any of us.”
Housing Trust is working with the Department of Communities and Justice to learn more about the people they will be housing through the Together Home Program.
For further information interested landlords and agents should contact Lisa Morgan, Housing Trust Leasehold Officer on 4254 1166 or leasehold@housingtrust.org.au.
