Up to 115 rough sleepers in Tweed Heads will be supported into long-term housing each year as part of the NSW Government’s expansion of a successful assertive homelessness outreach service.

Minister for Social Housing Pru Goward and Member for Tweed Geoff Provest announced today that Tweed Heads is one of two new locations that will see the service rolled out in 2019.

Ms Goward said the government had committed funding of $1.8 million over three years to roll out assertive outreach in Tweed Heads.

“As well as providing stable housing, we will also provide people experiencing homelessness wraparound support to ensure they have the help they need to stay off the streets,” Ms Goward said.

“We know we need to be proactive in the way we engage and build trust with people sleeping rough. We have seen the benefits of assertive outreach and supporting people into long-term housing in Sydney, now we are taking it to the regions.”

Since assertive outreach began in the Sydney CBD in March 2017, almost 300 people have been permanently housed and more than 94 per cent of tenancies have been maintained.

“From July 2019, people sleeping rough will start to see the friendly faces of homelessness outreach workers on the streets of Tweed Heads,” Mr Provest said.

“These workers will be there to offer expert help to find people safe, long-term housing as quickly as possible.”

The NSW Government is investing more than $1 billion to support people experiencing homelessness by helping to break the cycle of disadvantage, giving people choices and restoring their dignity to ensure they live happier and more secure lives.