A pilot program in Tweed Shire aimed at helping homeless people find long-term accommodation has seen more than 160 people housed, says local not-for-profit organisation, Social Futures.
Tweed Assertive Outreach is funded by the state government, and delivered collaboratively in the Tweed between Social Futures, Momentum Collective, NSW Department of Communities and Justice and NSW Health.
Social Futures CEO, Tony Davies, said in a media release the extension of funding for Tweed Assertive Outreach announced earlier this year was welcome news.
‘This vital program meets an ongoing need for support, and it delivers results for community members, with more than 90 per cent of people housed through the program maintaining their housing over the longer term,’ said Mr Davies.
‘That’s why it won the Premier’s Award for excellence last year, and with housing stress worsening, we need it to continue.’
‘The success of the program is an excellent example of what can be achieved through collaboration, in this instance between Social Futures, Momentum Collective and government’.
Program for Byron?
In October 2023, Labor Minister for Homelessness, Rose Jackson, announced Byron Shire would have its own Assertive Outreach program. At the time, the NSW Department of Communities and Justice told The Echo they were ‘currently working towards the development of an Assertive Outreach program in the Byron Shire providing a multidisciplinary team including specialist homelessness services caseworkers and health workers to deliver intensive case management and supports to people sleeping rough’.
In June 2023, a Byron Council media release claimed that Byron Shire has highest numbers of rough sleepers in NSW. It read: ‘The annual NSW Street Count has found 300 people sleeping rough in the Byron Shire, a significant increase from 2021 (198 people)’.
Mr Davies continued, ‘Outside of Sydney, Tweed Heads was selected as one of the first regional pilot sites in NSW owing to extremely high rates of rough sleeping’.
‘The Northern Rivers has over 35 per cent of the state’s rough sleepers, but less than four per cent of the state’s population,’ explained Mr Davies. ‘The intensive evidence-based practice sees staff with expertise in complex case management proactively visit areas used by people who are experiencing homelessness’.
Participant speaks
A participant of the Tweed Assertive Outreach program, Darrell, shared his experience: ‘They did great work, they came and picked me up, took my name, asked me my situation, you know, living rough.’
‘I don’t sleep in the gutter anymore. I don’t sleep in a park. I don’t have to look for somewhere to stay out of the rain, somewhere to get a shower or a feed, or to feel safe. The help they’re giving me, to get me back on my feet, to benefit me from here on in, Social Futures helps, mate. They’ve put me in the right direction…’
Mr Davies says, ‘Rather than relying on individuals to seek out a support service, the Assertive Outreach model brings services to the person, respectfully seeking to meet without intruding on their privacy’.
‘People experiencing rough sleeping are provided with temporary accommodation and intensive casework support that sees individuals assisted to connect with a range of supports including access to healthcare, employment services, and help to rebuild family, community and cultural connections’.
‘The Assertive Outreach program originally began in Sydney in 2017’.
If you, or someone you know, is sleeping rough, contact the Assertive Outreach intake line on 1800 048 310.
If you are experiencing homelessness and need emergency accommodation please call Link2Home 1800 152 152 or visit www.socialfutures.org.au/emergency/ for a range of 24-hour emergency contacts.
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