A new taskforce has been set up to coordinate outreach patrols of Sydney’s homeless population during the Coronavirus pandemic.
Minister for Families, Communities and Disability Services, Gareth Ward said more than 100 people had been helped into safe accommodation in less than a week since the Inner City Homelessness Taskforce patrols began.
“Our goal is to have people currently sleeping on our streets moved into accommodation to help keep them safe and prevent the spread of COVID-19,” Mr Ward said.
“Assertive outreach patrols include housing staff, specialist caseworkers and health professionals who will be engaging with rough sleepers every day in Sydney,” he said.
“Many rough sleepers have existing health conditions which place them at greater risk.”
Mr Ward said that following the announcement of $34 million to boost temporary
accommodation and private rental assistance packages, an extra 300 hotel and motel rooms had been booked to house homeless people.
He said the Inner City Homelessness Taskforce included representatives from the Department of Communities and Justice, NSW Health, St Vincent’s Health, Neami National, the City of Sydney and NSW Police.
“The Government is also ramping up support in regional and rural NSW,” he said.
“We have been running assertive outreach in the City of Sydney since 2017, and now we are accelerating the expansion to new areas.”
Mr Ward said anyone who was homeless or at risk of homelessness could call link2home on 1800 152 152.
