Funding boost for vital community service in Byron

Thursday, 12 October 2023

People sleeping rough in Byron Bay will receive better access to support thanks to a NSW Government funding injection of $125,000 for a key local community service and expansion of Assertive Outreach Program in the region.

Minister for Homelessness Rose Jackson said the investment in Fletcher Street Cottage will enable the organisation to continue providing essential services to people experiencing homelessness in Byron Bay.

The one-off funding is an initial step to strengthen the homelessness response in Byron and is in addition to the Government’s 2023-24 $11 million investment for homelessness services in Northern NSW, which covers the LGAs of Ballina, Byron Shire, Clarence Valley, Kyogle, Lismore, Richmond Valley and Tweed.

Fletcher Street Cottage provides breakfasts, access to hot showers and laundry facilities.

Community support workers provide individual assistance, information, referral and advocacy. There is also access to services such as Centrelink, housing assistance, medical care, legal advice, mental health, counselling and a hairdresser.

In addition to the funding boost for Fletcher Street Cottage, the Department of Communities and Justice is also going to expand Assertive Outreach in the region. This includes setting up a multidisciplinary team to deliver intensive case management and assertive patrols for people experiencing homelessness.

The approach is based on the Tweed Assertive Outreach model and the new team will include specialist homelessness services caseworkers along with a health worker. This service will strengthen wrap around support to help create better outcomes for some of our most vulnerable.

Linking people sleeping rough to shelter and health services is a critical aspect of the Assertive Outreach model and the new team will be trialled for one year and fully funded by the NSW Government.

The devastation from the Northern NSW floods and population increase since COVID-19 have squeezed housing availability in the Byron Shire LGA.

In the 2023 street count, 300 people were counted sleeping rough in the Byron Shire LGA, accounting for the largest group in the state.

Minister for Homelessness and Mental Health Rose Jackson said:

“This organisation has never previously been funded by the NSW Government, but we know that Fletcher Street Cottage is a lifeline for locals doing it tough in the Byron area and we want to see its good work continued.

“We acknowledge Northern NSW is really feeling the pinch from housing supply and cost of living pressures and while we work to address these challenges, this funding will ensure this vital service can continue to provide much needed help for the community.

“Extending our Assertive Outreach team in the region is a crucial part of our work to ensure experiences of homelessness are rare, brief and not repeated. This will take time, as we know there is a lot of work to be done."

Member of the Legislative Council Emily Suvaal said:

“This funding and reforms to homelessness services in the Byron region will provide crucial support to the people who need it most.

“More people on the ground means more opportunity of getting people into safe and secure homes and connected to vital support services.”

General Manager of Fletcher Street Cottage Louise O’Connell said:

“This grant represents a valuable and much-needed contribution to addressing our funding shortfall. Every dollar will help to empower our frontline workers to provide crucial homelessness support services.”