A new project born out of the COVID-19 response is set to provide housing and essential support services to people experiencing homelessness in NSW.
Announced by the Minister for Families, Communities and Disability Services, Gareth Ward, the $36 million Together Home project will help hundreds of people leave the streets by securing homes from the private rental market.
“It will also provide access to the services people need to maintain their tenancy, improve their health and wellbeing, and move towards training and employment,” Mr Ward said.
“The project builds on the NSW Government’s response to COVID-19, which included increasing the supply and flexibility of temporary accommodation and the expansion of assertive outreach across the State,” he said.
Mr Ward said that throughout the COVID-19 response the State had worked hard to keep rough sleepers safe.
He said Together Home would be a partnership between the NSW Government, Community Housing Providers, Specialist Homelessness Services and health services.
Chief Executive at Homelessness NSW, Katherine McKernan said a housing-first model was critical to providing stability for rough sleepers, and things like case management, drug and alcohol services and mental health support were very important.
“The sector has worked hard in recent months to get to this point and this additional funding will provide the critical next step to help secure housing and the supports people need to sustain tenancies,” Ms McKernan said.
