Vinnies Welcomes NSW Government Investment to House Rough Sleepers

The St Vincent de Paul Society NSW has welcomed the NSW Government’s investment of an additional $36 million to support rough sleepers into stable housing.

The Together Home project was announced by Gareth Ward, Minister for Families, Communities and Disability Services, over the long weekend.

“During the pandemic, Vinnies has worked collaboratively with the NSW Government and the broader community sector to provide shelter and additional support for people sleeping rough,” said Jack de Groot, CEO of St Vincent de Paul Society NSW.

“We hope this additional investment will provide longer-term stability and a place to call home for people who were experiencing chronic homelessness before COVID-19. We know that secure housing is the foundation for being able to improve health, education and employment – the first step to getting people back on their feet.”

Mr Ward said the $36 million will be spent on securing private rental housing for people sleeping rough, as well as providing wrap-around support services to help them maintain their tenancy, improve their health and wellbeing, and move towards training and employment.

This is an important step towards meeting the NSW Government’s global agreement to halve street homelessness by 2025. In February 2019, Vinnies NSW was one of a number of NGOs to sign onto the agreement.

“Ending street homelessness has always been possible and within reach, which we’ve seen in the unprecedented response to housing people during coronavirus,” Mr de Groot said.

“This announcement builds on the collaborative response to supporting people at the pointy end of homelessness during the pandemic.”

Media contact: Lachlan Jones | 0417 446 430