Temporary accommodation affected by housing crisis
AFTER more than 40 years in Dubbo, Orana Support Services Sturt House is helping men with temporary crisis housing.
Manager Jamie Butcher says the facility can hold 14 men at maximum capacity.
He acknowledged availability per client is for three months, but he does not ask anyone to leave.
“We hope to have men secure a house in three months, but with current housing shortages – it is difficult to maintain,” he told Dubbo Photo News.
Mr Butcher says the difficulty of finding accommodation in Dubbo is affecting more than 50 clients on the waitlist to access the temporary facility.
The men are dealing with drug and alcohol issues, mental health issues, unemployment, difficulty obtaining licenses, and other essential needs.
“Men come in with nothing, not even an ID, so we try to help across the board,” Mr Butcher said.
“It’s a great feeling when we do find housing for our clients, but it really doesn’t happen too often.”
Sturt House is not a rehabilitation facility.
“We have a zero tolerance to drugs and alcohol, but I know that it can be a struggle to get off of it,” he said.
Through lived experienced, Mr Butcher works with his clients to ensure the right help is provided.
“To work in this sort of industry, you have to be compassionate,” he said.
The Sturt House facilitates clients recently released from jail, are unemployed, or face homelessness.
Mr Butcher said the term ‘homelessness’ has changed as it refers to people not having security, couch surfing, or getting by with temporary accommodation.
“Homelessness is just getting worse with the housing crisis,” Mr Butcher said.
“We can’t really alleviate the stress.”
Mr Butcher shares the harsh reality of real estate agents not wanting to provide his clients an opportunity because of their lack of employment and rental history.
“We’ll apply for 30 properties for a private rental, and they probably don’t even look at it,” Mr Butcher said.
“I understand the perspective of landlords and agents, but it’s hard for us and our clients.”
In the past six months, however, Sturt House has achieved great results despite the housing crisis working in collaboration with agencies who work with Orana Support Services.
“We have really good outcomes here and there’s a lot of good change in people,” he said.
“I had a young fella who lived here a few months ago who had serious drug and other issues.
“He got a licence, got a house and was so happy – he was a completely different person.
“He came in a few months later and told me he recently purchased a car.”
Mr Butcher says he gets goosebumps thinking about how men have the opportunity to turn their lives around.
“If they meet me halfway, I’ll go the other half for them,” he said.
The Sturt House has a good networking relationship with other services and communities in Dubbo to provide a safe agency for their clients.
Mr Butcher says he hopes Dubbo can open more facilities in the future.
“Dubbo is only growing, and it really just comes down to housing,” Mr Butcher said.
“If we have more houses, we can get better results.
“A lot of blokes in here will struggle because they don’t want to move forward without having the stability of a house.
“They just want their own house.” He said the waitlist has previously increased by 20 names per week.
Sturt House charges rent which includes accommodation, food, and services.
The front garden has recently been revamped, by adding in plants, and removing weeds.
“I like to do things with the boys that isn’t just in the house,” he said.
“I want them to take pride in this place and recognise that it’s their home.”
Mr Butcher said when people leave the facility, Sturt House and Orana Support Services still provide support if necessary.