Coast Shelter will assume the administration and management of all homeless refuges on the Central Coast.
Following a competitive tendering process, through which the State Government implemented a total reform of homeless services in NSW, Coast Shelter has been given the responsibility for the eight homeless refuges on the Central Coast. “Each of the three women’s refuges on the Central Coast will continue as women, and women with accompanying children, only refuges and will provide the same level of accommodation as was previously the case,” said Coast Shelter executive officer Mr Laurie Maher.
“While Coast Shelter will have the responsibility for running these refuges, it will set up an Advisory Committee, comprised only of women, who will ensure that the feminist principles, which are necessary to ensure that homeless women who are the victims of domestic violence are assisted in an empathic and professional manner,” said Mr Maher.
Coast Shelter also has been allocated the responsibility to manage two highly successful programs, providing accommodation to homeless men and young women. The three youth refuges located in Woy Woy and Wyong will also be managed by Coast Shelter, however Rumbalara Youth Refuge in Gosford was not included among youth refuges allocated to the Central Coast.
“Taking into consideration the need for refuge accommodation for youth on the Central Coast, this is a real loss,” said Mr Maher. “We have never been able to look after all of the homeless young people on the Coast who come to us for accommodation and assistance and although some other programs will assist, to lose Rumbalara, the only purpose built youth refuge on the Coast, with the highest occupancy rate of accommodation, is a tragedy.
“Every effort will be made to have this decision reviewed or alternate funding obtained and with the support of our local community and the efforts of our local Member Chris Holstein, who has already been making representations, we are hopeful of a positive outcome,” said Mr Maher.
Media release, 3 Jul 2014
Laurie Maher,
Coast Shelter