The ACT Government has announced $2.5 million to increase capacity and expansion of specialist homelessness services and support more rough sleepers transition into accommodation.
Ainslie Lodge, Canberra’s central intake provider OneLink, and services for rough sleepers to transition into accommodation will receive additional funding following previous announcements under the COVID-19 support package. The funding packages deliver more resources to homelessness services including accommodation, transitional housing, domestic violence counselling, education and advocacy services.
Minister for Homelessness and Housing Services Rebecca Vassarotti said the additional funding recognises the important role of the sector to support Canberrans most in need.
“A home for all means safe shelter and wrap-around services for people, so that they can live with dignity. With growing demand for homelessness services, additional funding has been provided to ensure more Canberrans can get the support they need on their pathway to a long-term home,” Minister Vassarotti said.
“To end homelessness for good, we must support our frontline service providers. The additional funding will help these services expand on their responses to COVID-19, including how we recover from the pandemic, so everyone can have a safe place to call home and connect more with their communities.”
Ainslie Lodge, operated by Argyle Housing ($90,000): The funding will transition Winter Lodge from its current 6-months a year operation to a full-time operation under the name of Ainslie Lodge. Ainslie Lodge will increase its capacity to offer transitional and crisis accommodation and pathways to a wide range of support services.
“With assistance from the ACT Government, the support team from Argyle Housing have had the privilege of providing housing to more than 380 men sleeping rough, with around 100 transitioning into long term housing within Ainslie Village and the private rental market. The expansion of our services will allow us to extend this critical community support,” Argyle Housing Acting CEO Carolyn Doherty said.
Support for rough sleepers to transition into accommodation ($906,000) for stronger collaboration across services to provide integrated support, case management and tenancy assistance to 40 rough sleepers as they transition from short-term accommodation into long-term accommodation. It will also fund a community mental health specialist for 12 months to support rough sleepers with mental health needs stay engaged with homelessness services. OneLink will manage and coordinate the implementation and reporting of this project.
“Many people who have been homeless for long periods have complex issues including mental illness, alcohol, tobacco and other drugs, and we find that connections to services and supports have broken down over time. This outreach role will work closely with Axial Housing and other specialist homelessness outreach services to build long term relationships with people on the streets of Canberra, to improve access to much needed specialist clinical care and assist with outreach treatments,” Anne Kirwan, Group CEO, Marymead CatholicCare Canberra & Goulburn said.
Additional funding for OneLink ($1,556,000) to employ additional OneLink staff to provide specialist engagement support and respond to sustained increase in demand and complexity of clients. They will also work with service providers to develop targeted support packages for those receiving assistance from the Client Support Fund.
“Through the last 4 months, the true value of well-funded, integrated, and collaborative support models has been seen across our sector. Funding for additional support for people who are sleeping rough will assist in continuing this. We look forward to continuing to work with specialist homelessness services and the ACT Government to find better solutions for all people at risk of or experiencing homelessness,” Jenny Kitchen, CEO, Woden Community Service said.
