 | Friday, November 27, 1998 WELCOME ACTION ON GEELONG SINGLE HOMELESS MEN
- HENDERSON
Community support agencies have reacted positively to a Victorian Government plan to improve coordination and support service delivery for single homeless men in Geelong, the Minister for Housing and Member for Geelong, Ann Henderson, said today.
The Government was encouraged by agencies’ early feedback on initiatives to focus available help for local homeless, Mrs Henderson said.
The initiatives include a pilot program based on services provided by the Salvation Army within its Adult Outreach program, Transitional Housing Management program and St Laurence Community Services (Barwon) Inc.
Recommendations to improve housing and support options for this client group are outlined in a report, commissioned by the State Government, titled Response of the Housing Support Systems to Single Homeless Males in the City of Greater Geelong.
“The package of initiatives agreed to by agencies builds upon the recommendations contained in the report and provides additional features that provide a substantial coordinated response to the needs of homeless men,” Mrs Henderson said.
A range of options was explored in consultation with community support agencies including:
· St Laurence Community Services (Barwon) Inc.
· Salvation Army Geelong - Family & Community Support Service - (Adult Outreach Program).
· Salvation Army Social Housing Service (SASHS).
· Society of St Vincent de Paul.
· Anglican Church (Geelong).
Major Ron Cochrane, of Salvation Army Geelong - Family & Community Support Service, said agencies within Geelong recognise that greater cohesion and coordination will develop a system where homeless men can receive ongoing care and support, yet maintain their dignity and self-worth.
Barry Pearce, of St Laurence Community Services, said an additional property targeted to single men, in combination with increased housing establishment funds, will enhance the current service system provided through St Laurence Community Services and Salvation Army Social Housing Service and Community Support Service.
The community groups agreed that a coordinating position would facilitate a cohesive service system that will provide a substantial and robust program to address the diverse needs presented by single homeless men.
It was highlighted by Tim Cohen, of the Salvation Army Social Housing Service, that a number of men become homeless through a range of circumstances that require different approaches to meet different needs.
These needs may warrant short-term support intervention strategies, or extended support to stabilise their current lifestyle, Mr Cohen said.
This package will enhance the service system with the capacity to provide pathways for homeless men into emergency and crisis accommodation through transitional housing into longer-term options, he said.
Ian Baulch, of the Society of St Vincent de Paul, said the initiatives were the result of cooperation and sharing of issues confronted by the range of support agencies, creating the opportunity to determine appropriate responses to meet homeless men’s support needs.
“We look to the future with high hopes,” Mr Baulch said.
Mrs Henderson said the package’s implementation would ensure that enhanced service delivery was achieved for homeless men, with provision for ongoing assessments, reviews and monitoring to ensure the Government was vigilant in addressing the needs of single homeless men in Geelong.
Media inquiries: Anne Stanford on (03) 9651 5799 or 0418 530 280.
E-mail: anne.stanford@dpc.vic.gov.au
(F:press98/lastgeel/sp/25.11.98) Media Release Attachment - lastgeel.DOC [Word, 15360 Bytes]
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