The NSW Government is expanding assertive outreach homelessness services in Tweed Heads and surrounds, providing people with access to vital support to help them find stable, long-term housing.
Member for Tweed Geoff Provest said the NSW Government is investing $5.1 million over three years to establish the assertive outreach service.
“We know that assertive outreach helps build trusting relationships with people who may not feel comfortable or empowered to ask for help,” Mr Provest said.
“Very soon, people sleeping rough will start to see the friendly faces of homelessness outreach workers on the streets. These workers will be there to help find people safe a long-term housing as quickly as possible.”
“Many people sleeping rough have chronic health problems, so our outreach will include health care coordination and post-crisis support.”
Minister for Families, Communities and Disability Services, Gareth Ward said assertive outreach is a key component of the Government’s commitment to halving rough sleeping in NSW by 2025.
“Geoff has been a champion on this issue and I want to sincerely commend him for his advocacy on behalf of vulnerable people in his community,” Mr Ward said.
“Recent homelessness outreach conducted in Sydney has shown us the importance of being out on the streets, working proactively to offer help and move vulnerable people quickly into housing.”
“This is part of a concerted effort to address all of the issues that may be preventing someone from holding on to long-term housing.”
Since proactive homelessness outreach began in Sydney in March 2017, more than 400 people who were sleeping rough have been housed and more than 93 per cent of tenancies have been maintained during this period.
This initiative will directly contribute to the NSW Premier’s commitment to halve rough sleeping by 2025, and to work towards ending rough sleeping by 2030.