The Department of Communities says a new online portal for homeless services will make it easier for people experiencing homelessness to access accommodation and support.
Minister for Community Services, Simone McGurk said the portal, being developed in partnership with the community services sector, would implement a No Wrong Door approach across the sector for the first time.
“People experiencing or at risk of homelessness will be able to find appropriate long-term housing and support regardless of which service or Agency they initially connect with,” Ms McGurk said.
“The Department has been working with the community sector, service providers and people with lived experience of homelessness to map the existing referral pathways, gaps in the network of supports and opportunities to strengthen the system.”
She said this had led to a blueprint for a centralised digital database of homelessness services across the State which Agencies and providers could use to check which service was available and best placed to support and meet a person’s specific needs at any time.
“The portal will have the dual function of holding accommodation and support service information and availability, as well as the information and data of people who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness,” Ms McGurk said.
“This data will only be shared with homelessness service sector staff when consent is provided.”
The Department said it would soon be seeking expressions of interest for a suitable IT consultant to design and develop the portal.