Homeless help in doubt
AN agency helping Geelong’s rough sleepers off the streets is waiting for the state government to confirm if its contract will be extended beyond June.
Neami National has been delivering the Towards Home+ service in Geelong since February 2019.
The service supports people experiencing homelessness to obtain and maintain housing, improve physical and mental health, and develop connections in the community.
To date, through Towards Home+, Neami has supported more than 150 people into suitable housing in Geelong.
The government did not specify whether the contract would be extended when asked by the Geelong Advertiser.
Neami National service manager Adam Douglass said services such as Towards Home+ worked towards breaking the cycle of homelessness in Geelong.
“Ongoing funding for services that provide holistic support are crucial in supporting people to not only find suitable housing but also to maintain housing,” Mr Douglass said.
“The hoped-for extension of the current Towards Home+ contract beyond June 30, 2021, would enable Neami National to continue to provide people sleeping rough or experiencing homelessness with a wraparound service.”
He said it had built strong relationships with the rough sleeping population and broader community, and hoped to provide continuity of support beyond June.
Give Where You Live Foundation chief executive Bill Mithen said it hoped the state budget would deliver good news for Neami and the region.
“We know already that services are overwhelmed,” Mr Mithen said.
“To not renew a contract would be a bit of a disaster at this stage.”
G21 chief executive Giulia Baggio said in the current climate, where people had lost jobs due to COVID-19, JobKeeper having ended and affordable rentals scarce due to the booming property market, homelessness across the region was a significant and growing challenge.
“We call on governments to maintain support to existing homelessness services to meet this need,” Ms Baggio said.
“Organisations need clarity about their future funding to guarantee ongoing delivery of services and for the peace of mind of their clients and staff.”
A government spokeswoman said it continued to invest record amounts in housing and programs.
“We are working to break the cycle of homelessness in Victoria and in Geelong — our $45m homelessness and rough sleeping action plan is empowering organisations to intervene early and connect rough sleepers with the services they need to turn their lives around,” she said.
It is understood the Victorian action plan is being considered as part of broader homelessness system and program planning. homelessness