Pacific Link Housing has put together a team to participate in the Coast Shelter Sleepout, helping to raise funds for those experiencing homelessness and domestic and family violence on the Central Coast.
The Coast Shelter Sleepout will be held on Friday, August 5, at the Central Coast Stadium, where people, businesses and organisations prepare to sleep out for one night to raise funds and awareness for the issues surrounding domestic violence and homelessness.
Coast Shelter Sleepout has already hit its target amount of $100,000 and then some, with a whopping total of $116,291 raised at the time of publication.
CEO of Pacific Link Housing, Ian Lynch, said they had a long-standing partnership with Coast Shelter helping to provide affordable, secure homes and support to those experiencing homelessness or family and domestic violence.
“We are proud to support Coast Shelter’s sleepout again this year and have put together a team who will be braving the elements and gaining a very small insight into what it would be like to be homeless,” Lynch said.
“Unfortunately, this is a harsh reality for many of the people our organisations assist daily.
“We would appreciate any donations to support our efforts and Coast Shelter’s cause.”
Collaborations between Pacific Link Housing and Coast Shelter include initiatives such as the Domestic Violence Rapid Response program and the Tiny Homes pilot project.
One of the more recent collaborations is Pacific Link Housing’s Together Home Program, which provides a permanent home and intensive wraparound support to people who would otherwise be sleeping rough.
The NSW Government-funded program was announced in 2020 due to COVID-19 lockdowns and has provided more than 50 people experiencing homelessness with a secure and safe home.
Lynch said that an affordable, secure home was the foremost priority, followed by a collaboration with support providers, such as Coast Shelter, that helped people find their feet again.
Pacific Link Housing and Coast Shelter also work together to facilitate long-term housing pathways for residents after leaving crisis accommodation.
The 30-year partnership has resulted in countless success stories, including Central Coast local, Belinda, who became homeless after a relationship breakdown.
After three months of couch surfing with her children, Belinda was offered crisis accommodation with Coast Shelter, where she received the care and support to find more permanent housing.
Belinda moved into her Pacific Link Housing property and said it was comforting to have a home for her family.
“My home is a little oasis to me,” Belinda said.
“I take such pride in it and have won Pacific Link’s Garden competition twice!”
Belinda said she was grateful for the support of both organisations and considered herself “lucky” to have a place to call home.
To give back to the community, Belinda volunteered at Coast Shelter and recently obtained a permanent part-time position at a local community organisation.
Lynch said that ending homelessness took a whole-of-community approach.
“Working collaboratively with our support partners like Coast Shelter is vital to ensure people such as Belinda are successful in keeping a roof over their head and are provided with the necessary care to help rebuild their lives and plan for the future.”
To support Pacific Link Housing’s team, visit coastsheltersleepout.com.au/t/pacificlinkhousingsteam.
Hayley McMahon