Changing lives with our Supported Temporary Accommodation program

April 7, 2019

Every night in Australia, more than 100,000 people are homeless. Homelessness can affect men, women and children from a wide range of backgrounds. A shortage of affordable housing and high rents means that people on low incomes are increasingly vulnerable to homelessness.

Our Central Coast Family Centre is now operating a Supported Temporary Accommodation (STA) program on the coast. This program started in August 2018 and has quickly grown to 8 properties with the potential to accommodate up to 50 people per night.

Properties vary in size from 1 bedroom apartments to large family homes and can cater for singles, couples and small or large families. All properties are fully furnished and self-contained with a full kitchen, bathroom, comfortable living areas and separate secure bedrooms for occupants. Occupants can stay for I night or up to 1 month depending on their individual circumstances.

People become homeless for many reasons including unemployment, family breakdown, domestic violence, mental health issues, loss of a loved one, financial troubles and problems with drugs, alcohol or gambling. Being homeless impacts on all aspects of a person’s life. It can wreak havoc on a person’s health and keep them out of work or socially isolated. Being homeless goes much further than not having a roof over your head.

The Supported Temporary Accommodation program provides a lot more than just accommodation. It is already achieving great outcomes for people due to its holistic approach of working with clients. Staff can assist with rental applications and provide advocacy and support to navigate the often complex world of real estate and government agencies. The goal is to establish permanent housing for the client but staff are available to help work through any obstacles that may present themselves along the way. The aim is to build hope, restore dignity and provide a foundation to rebuild lives. The impact that this can have on someone’s life is huge. The Supported Temporary Accommodation program is already helping people make positive changes to their lives as this lovely feedback from one client shows.

“It was quite a hard time for me. I felt quite lost and hopeless……from the moment I met the worker, he was nothing but kind and supportive and made me feel very welcome. I never felt judged or unwelcome at all.

The worker constantly went above and beyond to help me any way he could and it’s because of his support I started to get a bit of hope back. With his help and kind words he made me realise that if I set my mind to something I could do it and I could get out of the situation I was in and it’s thanks to him that I now have my own little place and I’m feeling a lot better and am moving forward with my life.”

The Supported Temporary Accommodation program works closely with FaCS Housing NSW to accommodate referred clients as quickly as possible, resulting in much better outcomes for people needing housing assistance.

For more information or to access this program please contact:
FaCS Housing Gosford
P: (02) 4323 5211

FaCS Housing Wyong
P: (02) 4352 4400

by Brad Exley, Support Worker, CatholicCare’s Supported Temporary Accommodation program.