NSW charity wins Homelessness Award
The Samaritans Brokerage Support Service, of Broadmeadow, NSW, was today awarded a National Homelessness Services Achievement Award in recognition of its tireless work to prevent and tackle homelessness.
Minister for Housing and Homelessness, Mark Butler and Parliamentary Secretary for Homelessness and Social Housing, Melissa Parke today presented the Samaritans Foundation with the Award for Excellence in the prevention of, or early intervention in, homelessness for its Samaritans Brokerage Support Service.
“The Samaritans Brokerage Support Service stood out through its efforts to help families avoid eviction when they fall behind in mortgage and rental payments,” Mr Butler said.
“I congratulate the Samaritans Foundation for its innovative Brokerage Support Service, which is helping families keep a roof over their heads.
“In just six months, this service has helped more than 100 families with dependent children struggling to pay their rent or mortgage.
“No matter what the cause for rental or mortgage arrears-be it family violence, alcohol and substance misuse, or disability-the service helps families avoid eviction.
“Families are then linked to services that will help them keep their home in the long term.
Mr Butler said being at risk of losing your home makes it enormously difficult to do any of the ordinary things in life-to hold down a job, get an education, or plan for the future.
“But thanks to the commitment of Samaritans Brokerage Support Service, families in the Hunter region have someone to turn to when they need it the most.”
Ms Parke said that while the last Census showed a 13 per cent drop in the rate of people sleeping rough or in improvised dwellings, far too many Australians still do not have a secure place to call home every night.
“This Government has made tackling homelessness a national priority, and is committed to halving the overall rate of homelessness by 2020,” Ms Parke said.
“But we are not doing it alone-every day, thousands of services are on the ground helping people get back on their feet.
“This year’s Awards shine a light on the tremendous work these compassionate and dedicated service providers like the Samaritans Foundation do for some of our community’s most vulnerable people.
“Thank you to everyone who nominated a service or organisation in the 2013 National Homelessness Services Achievement Awards.
“Congratulations the Samaritans Foundation for receiving this well-deserved award for their Brokerage Support Service.”
For more information go to www.fahcsia.gov.au/homelessnessawards