Homeless veterans service could close
A TOWNSVILLE crisis accommodation organisation supporting homeless veterans and their families has stopped receiving clients and is at risk of closing.
Veterans Off The Streets Australia announced the decision on social media.
“VOTSA regrets to inform you that we are currently unable to offer assistance or support to the veteran community at this time,” the post said.
“We apologise for any inconvenience. We will provide a further update in the coming days.”
Director of client services Lynne “Floss” Foster said the decision to stop receiving clients was a result of a number of factors.
“There was a service gap for homeless veterans when we created VOTSA … we look after those veterans,” she said.
“Many of the volunteers here are ex- serving personnel.
“There’s hundreds of veteran volunteer organisations asking for government assistance, there’s no regulation of the homeless service, of those collecting money and donations.
“I think there’s no collaboration between services and it can be confusing for veterans who are suffering.”
Ms Foster said Veterans Off The Streets had not received government funding as it was a registered charity, but financial reasons were not behind the decision to stop receiving clients.
“Throughout its history we as a charity rely on fundraising, donations and our volunteers,” she said.
Ms Foster said governments needed to look into “micro” organisations claiming to help veterans to make sure they were credible and delivering services correctly.
“It’s a fact there are smaller groups across Australia who are claiming to be supporting veterans in that space,” she said.
Ms Foster said there still remained a need for crisis accommodation in the community, with the charity receiving two or three calls for help a week.
“It’s just becoming more complex, there are more organisations that are unregulated,” she said.
“We refer them on to other agencies if we can in their area.”
Veterans Off The Streets board members will hold a meeting next week to decide the future of the charity. “It will decide the future of the company, whether it continues or whether the charity is retired,” Ms Foster said. If you or someone you know needs access to counselling support, you can call Lifeline on 13 11 14.