St Vincent de Paul Society will provide a new service to rapidly rehouse the homeless who frequently use temporary accommodation services in western Sydney.
The NSW government will release $1 million to St Vincent de Paul Society over the next year with an aim to reduce homelessness by providing at-risk clients with affordable long-term accommodation.
As part of the partnership 120 individuals or families will be provided with private rental properties in the Mt Druitt and Penrith region.
The initiative comes as The Department of Families and Communities Services launch a year-long review into state’s commitment to reduce homelessness by 50 per cent by 2020.
St Vincent de Paul Society NSW CEO Michael Perusco said he was excited by the trial program.
“We see the challenges people face in accessing safe and affordable accommodation and it is very encouraging to see a program that improves access to the private rental market,” Mr Perusco said.
“Typically these people haven’t been able to access private rentals because of discrimination or a lack of rental history.”
The program will be funded under the National Partnership Agreement on Homelessness which is a commonwealth and state government agreement.
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/new-plan-to-rehouse-wests-homeless-20121205-2avfc.html
Tags: Australia, Homelessness, housing, poverty, strategies
