A new home for Shoalhaven's homeless hub

23 September 2022

The Shoalhaven Homeless Hub is providing expanded facilities for the local community after relocating thanks to support from the NSW Government.

Minister for Families and Communities and Minister for Disability Services Natasha Maclaren-Jones said additional funding has enabled Nowra-based Shoalhaven Homeless Hub, to move operations to a nearby facility.

“The Hub offers real help to people who desperately need it, making a profound difference to their lives,” Mrs Maclaren-Jones said.

“The NSW Government contributed more than $61,000 and worked closely with the Hub’s operators to ensure they found an appropriate location because we want to ensure people sleeping rough can continue to receive the local support they need.”

Local Member for the South Coast Shelley Hancock said services in the area were needed more than ever before.

“It is so important that we help where we can. I am so pleased that the Hub can continue to help more people break the cycle of disadvantage,” Mrs Hancock said.

“Providing individuals and families a central place to get the right support is key to tackling homelessness.”

The Hub is managed by Supported Accommodation and Homelessness Services Shoalhaven Illawarra (SAHSSI) and includes laundry, bathroom and shower facilities. 

It offers information and referral services to the homeless, as well as providing emergency provisions such as food, toiletries, tents and sleeping bags.

SAHSSI operations manager Lesley Labka said service users and the community have welcomed the move.

“The new location is very central and easy to get to on foot,” Ms Labka said.

“It is also very visible to the community, which has encouraged an increase in donations and community visits, which is lovely.”

As part of the funding arrangement, the NSW Government will provide more than $25,000 per annum to cover additional leasing costs, and has contributed a one-off allocation of $6,600 to support SAHSSI to move the Shoalhaven Homelessness Hub to its new premises.

In 2022-23, the NSW Government has provided $14 million in funding to specialist homelessness services providers in the Illawarra Shoalhaven area.