Homelessness services recognised for outstanding work
Seven community organisations from across Australia have been recognised for their work in preventing and addressing homelessness at the inaugural National Homelessness Services Achievement awards in Canberra today.
Minister for Housing and Homelessness Brendan O’Connor said the awards were a great opportunity to highlight the achievements of organisations and also give the broader Australian community the chance to learn more about the tireless work these organisations do day in, day out.
“The Gillard Government believes all Australians deserve a safe, secure home and we are committed to tackling the complex challenges homelessness poses,” Mr O’Connor said.
“Without a secure home, people struggle to find and keep jobs or stay in training or education, or to keep their kids in school.
“That’s why we have made homelessness a national reform priority and have committed to halving the overall rate of homelessness by 2020.
“To reach this ambitious goal we have invested $20 billion in measures to help people with home ownership and affordable rental housing, and to tackle homelessness.
“But we know that Government cannot tackle homelessness alone, which is why the work done by the organisations who have been recognised today is so important, and I congratulate all the award recipients, finalists and nominees for their achievements.”
The National Homelessness Services Achievement awards recipients:
- Excellence or innovation in addressing homelessness by an organisation
- Maroondah Halfway House, VIC
- Excellence in the prevention of, or early intervention in, homelessness
- Rural Housing Network – Early Intervention to Sustain Affordable Housing Program, VIC
- Outstanding business or philanthropic commitment to addressing homelessness
- Kids Under Cover in partnership with Hocking Stuart Real Estate VIC
- Excellence or innovation in partnerships in delivering services
- Wentworth Community Housing – Project 40 Supportive Housing, NSW
- Closing the Gap: Excellence in addressing Indigenous homelessness
- Children Services Support Unit- Wadeye Women’s Safe House Program, Wadeye, NT
- Excellence in supporting pathways to employment or education
- Southern Youth and Family Services Association Inc, NSW
- Excellence in addressing homelessness in a regional, rural or remote location
- Life without Barriers- Assertive Outreach Services Program, Riverland, SA
“We had an overwhelmingly positive response to the call for nominations which is a testament to the great work already being achieved and I look forward to seeing more,” Mr O’Connor said.
“Again I would like to applaud all nominees, finalists and award recipients, whose commitment, innovation and creativity in the homelessness sector are helping to break the cycle of homelessness.”
National Homelessness Services Achievement Award Finalists
Excellence or innovation in addressing homelessness by an organisation
Maroondah Halfway House VIC Maroondah Halfway House, in partnership with Brenda House, has developed Victoria’s first state-wide integrated domestic and family violence, homelessness and disability response that focuses on addressing each woman and child’s practical and emotional needs and issues arising from the violence – while attempting to find accommodation that is most appropriate to the woman’s individual circumstances.
Excellence in the prevention of, or early intervention in, homelessness
Rural Housing Network- The Early intervention to Sustain Affordable Housing Program, Victoria The Early Intervention to Sustain Affordable Housing Program run by Rural Housing Network aims to bridge the gap between the private rental sector and the people at risk of experiencing homelessness in Wodonga. It provides practical help such as financial assistance, help with completing applications and referrals to other support agencies in the Wodonga and Albury border areas.
Outstanding business or philanthropic commitment to addressing homelessness
Kids Under Cover and Hocking Stuart Real Estate, Victoria Kids Under Cover (KUC) is a pioneer in the prevention of youth homelessness through its Studio program, Scholarships program and the Mentoring programs. Hocking Stuart Real Estate has partnered with KUC to further raise funds and awareness of the organisation.
Excellence or innovation in partnerships in delivering services
Wentworth Community Housing- Project 40 Supportive Housing, New South Wales Wentworth Community Housing is the lead agency for Project 40, and provides supportive housing for chronically homeless, highly vulnerable people who struggle on the margins of the Nepean/Blacktown region of outer Western Sydney.
Excellence in addressing Indigenous homelessness
Children’s Service Support Unit – Wadeye Safe House, Northern Territory CSSU Wadeye Safe House provides a safe place for women and children who have experienced family or domestic violence or are otherwise at risk in the Wadeye Community. It aims to improve overall wellbeing for these women, which also creates long term benefits to the Wadeye community.
Excellence in Supporting Pathways to Employment or Education
Southern Youth and Family Services Association Inc, New South Wales Southern Youth and Family Services (SYFS) has been helping young people and their families and who are vulnerable, disadvantaged and experiencing homelessness to get back on their feet. SYFS brings together a range of mainstream and specialist services that provide high quality ‘wrap around’ services aimed at supporting young people vulnerable to homelessness in pathways to employment, education and training.
Excellence in addressing homelessness in a regional, rural or remote location
Life Without Barriers- Assertive Outreach Services Program, South Australia Life Without Barriers’ Assertive Outreach Services have helped many individuals and families in Riverland (SA) who are sleeping rough to resolve a current crisis, re-establish family links and re-establish their ability to live independently. The program aims to address barriers to long-term housing by providing proactive and holistic services.