Specialist Housing & Homelessness Services

When women decide to leave a violent or coercive relationship, it often means leaving the family home. Accessing housing that is secure, affordable and immediately available is the most critical factor in their support pathway. We offer the following supports:

SPECIALIST SERVICES

Provides temporary supported accommodation, outreach and early intervention for single parents and families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. A Case Worker assists each family in addressing issues which have led to homelessness and supports them towards independent living.

YOUNG PARENTS HOMELESSNESS SERVICES (KEYS)

KEYS offers young parents aged 16 – 24 years who are homeless, or at risk of being homeless accommodation assistance and support. We offer more than just keys to a door. We help you unlock your potential, your future and your independence.

MARY MAC’S PLACE

Mary Mac’s Place provides homeless or transient people with a meal and a place to shower and wash clothes and a pathway to other services like Legal Aid, homelessness support services and health assistance. With assistance from our community partners, a selection of food is available daily as a take home for those in need, and from time-to-time we can provide food hampers. This service is located at the Ethel Cox Centre, 100 Blackwall Road, Woy Woy.

DOM’S PLACE

Dom’s Place supports men, women and families who are experiencing, or are at risk of homelessness. It operates as a ‘one-stop-shop,’ an inclusive space where people can feel safe and connected. Someone might pop in to get a meal, wash their clothes and chat with a social worker to address housing needs. A vulnerable person could come and play a game of pool with their friends. Another might access cooking classes and connect with volunteer and employment pathways. Case management, counselling, groups and mental health supports are available, as well as referrals to other services as needed. Other local services also operate from Dom’s Place including legal, housing, cultural, financial and medical services. Drop in when you like, no appointment needed. This service is located at 9 Leonard Street, Hornsby and is open between 9.00am and 5.00pm Monday to Friday.

For more information:
P: 1800 324 924
E: info@catholiccaredbb.org.au

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

I am not Catholic, can I still access your service?

Yes of course. Our services are available to everyone.

What suburbs does this service cover?

Our service covers the Hornsby, Hunters Hill, Ryde and Ku-ring-gai LGA’s.

I am homeless and have nowhere to stay tonight? What can I do?

Head into a local housing office in the North Sydney area:

Link Wentworth 3 – 5 Anthony Road West Ryde
St George Housing 14 -16 Chandos Street St Leonards
Link2Home on 1800 152 152 (24 hours 7 days a week).

What support do you provide and how can they help me?

Case management support for clients currently experiencing homelessness wanting to reside long term in the Hornsby, Hunters Hill, Ryde and Ku-ring-gai areas.
We have limited transitional accommodation which is based on assessment and availability.
We do not provide crisis or temporary accommodation.
We provide support to single clients over the age of 25 as well as families.

What does a Case Worker do?

A Case Worker works alongside you to explore options for long-term accommodation eg. social housing, private rental, affordable housing, refuge accommodation and boarding house options. The Case Worker will also assist you to link in with other services as needed such as financial counselling, mental health supports, addiction support and counselling.

Is support with your team confidential?

Yes our service is confidential. We may be required to share your information if it required by law or if yours or anyone else’s health or safety is at threat, or if you have provided us with consent.

Is this a free service?

Yes it is.

How do I seek support from the service?

Please contact 1800 324 924 or email us at intakewaitara@catholiccaredbb.org.au. Alternatively you can drop into Dom’s Place to organise a time to meet with the Intake Worker (at 9 Leonard Street Hornsby). We will complete an intake with you assess whether or not our service is suitable to your needs and allocate you to a Case Worker for ongoing support.

What is Dom’s Place?

Dom’s Place is our drop in centre in Hornsby. It has a shower, washing machine, dryer and frozen meals. It also has a pool table, ping pong table, and areas to sit down and watch TV. It also has some computers if you need to come and use these. Dom’s Place is open Monday to Friday 9.00am – 5.00pm. Drop in anytime – 9 Leonard Street Hornsby.

How long can the service support me for?

This can vary, but typically between 3 – 6 months. This will depend on your needs and the complexity of the situation.

LATEST NEWS

My healing journey

Since engaging with CatholicCare’s counselling services, Sal has been able to process the trauma associated with her injury and has actively sought treatment.

Every Monday, I look half decent again!

You can tell it’s Monday at Mary Mac’s Place by looking at the queue for the shower. “Weekends are long because everyone is hanging out for Mary Mac’s to open again,” Steve says, who has been a companion at Mary Mac’s for 20 years.

I don’t even know if I would have survived

Peter never expected to be homeless. Five years ago, he was a married father of four kids, a high-end wall paperer for Sydney’s rich and famous. Learn how CatholicCare rescued Peter from despair and homelessness.

I didn’t realise I was homeless

Life would look vastly different for David, if not for the support of CatholicCare’s Together Home Program and Dom’s Place. “This place saves lives,” David says as he looks around. Now that he has a safe place to call home, David is committed to making his life a meaningful one.