Byron’s only homeless hub says it has to reduce services owing to an increase in demand and a lack of government funding.
Fletcher Street Cottage management say regrettably they are ‘faced with the necessity of reducing its services from five days to four days a week, operating from Tuesday through Friday’.
They say, ‘This decision is owing to the lack of government funding causing a significant funding shortfall, jeopardising the crucial support provided to our community’s most vulnerable’.
Since its establishment in April 2022, the cottage says it has received over 13,000 visits by locals seeking help.
‘Byron Shire has the largest cohort of rough sleepers in NSW, higher than the City of Sydney’, they say.
‘The rapid increase in demand for homeless services underscores the critical role this facility plays in addressing the housing crisis, rising cost of living and rental stress experienced by many in the region’.
Byron Community Centre General Manager, Louise O’Connell, emphasised the importance of addressing these issues, stating, ‘Byron Shire is grappling with a severe affordable housing crisis, which is exacerbated with each passing day’.
‘We urgently seek government support, and sustainable funding to continue assisting the growing number of people in need’.
She says the reduced hours will commence from October 23, 2023.
‘The facility currently has no ongoing state or federal government funding, and relies solely on grants and the generosity of donors and partners to assist Byron’s homeless community’.
Louise stressed the urgency of the situation, adding, ‘We are seeing people who have never come to Fletcher Street Cottage before’.
‘Families, young people and older women who have nowhere else to turn.
‘Though the organisation successfully raised $400,000 through its emergency appeal, regular donors and generous support of the community, this funding falls $600,000 short of the required annual amount’.
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The office of Rose Jackson provided The Echo with a statement on the issue. Ms Jackson is the Minister for Water, Minister for Housing, Minister for Homelessness, Minister for Mental Health, Minister for Youth, and Minister for North Coast.
Homelessness MP
A spokesperson said that ‘We’re still in discussion to see what the state government can do to support with funding’.
NSW MP, Tamara Smith (Greens) told The Echo her party recently joined a campaign for the government to fund services at the Fletcher Street Cottage, but Ms Smith said the call appeared to have been ignored in the recent budget.
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