Member for Terrigal, Mr Adam Crouch, has reaffirmed the NSW Government’s commitment to supporting those who are experiencing homelessness and those who are at risk of homelessness right across NSW, including here on the Central Coast.
In 2017/18, the NSW Government will invest $198 million in Specialist Homelessness Services (SHS) and critical referral services such as ‘Link2Home’, as well as an additional $20m to provide more transitional accommodation and support packages for rough sleepers across NSW. “Under the Liberal-National Coalition, funding for SHS providers on the Central Coast has risen from just $4.68 million under Labor in 2010, to over $9 million in 2016/17,” Mr Crouch said.
“There is no doubt that the NSW Government is delivering for the most vulnerable in our society. “As an example, our own Coast Shelter, a SHS provider on the Central Coast, has had its funding increased from $1.7 million in 2010/11 to almost $6.6 million in 2016/17,” Mr Crouch said. Minister for Family and Community Services and Social Housing, Ms Pru Goward, said that tackling homelessness is a key priority of the NSW Government. “We are committed to looking at the underlying cause of homelessness such as domestic violence, mental health, and drug issues,” Ms Goward said. “We are also investing in areas that will address issues of housing affordability and access to social and affordable housing through our Future Directions program.
“Under Future Directions, we will see 23,500 new and replacement social and affordable dwellings as well as 40,000 private dwellings delivered over the next 10 years,” she added. “This Government recognises the pivotal role that NGO’s and SHS providers play is assisting people experiencing or at risk of homelessness,” Mr Crouch said. “I acknowledge the 25 years of dedication given to vulnerable people on the Central Coast by Coast Shelter and I am committed to ensuring this service is funded appropriately.”
Source: Media release, Aug 21 Donna Golightly, Office of Adam Crouch MP