From August 5 to 11, Homelessness Week 2024 cast a spotlight on the 122,494 Australians facing homelessness, including vulnerable children and First Nations People. The Shoalhaven Homeless Hub continues to offer refuge and support, providing essentials and assistance with housing services.

Southern Cross Housing engaged with community members and other specialist homelessness providers at the Shoalhaven Homeless Hub on August 9, emphasising the critical issue of homelessness in the region. Participants were provided with an opportunity to engage with service providers, listen to some great music and enjoy a free meal.

As a key homelessness service provider, Southern Cross Housing has facilitated the provision of stable housing for (34) individuals through the NSW Government’s Together Home program, which delivers comprehensive support and secure long term housing for people that are experiencing primary homelessness. This program is delivered in collaboration with St Vincent De Paul and is proving crucial to supporting people that are experiencing long term homelessness. The following story is typical of the transformation that the program is making in people lives. Note that the name of the person has been changed to protect his identify.

Tom, who once lived in a cave near the Nowra Showgrounds, faced various adversities. After periods of rough sleeping and utilising local shelters, he was supported by Southern Cross Housing, together with Salt Care and St Vincent De Paul into long term accommodation through the Together Home program. Despite challenges with health and social issues, Tom has been living in stable housing since 2022.

Since 2019 Southern Cross Housing has partnered with the NSW Government to conduct annual Rough Sleeper Counts in Shoalhaven and Snowy Monaro Local Government areas. The counts provide data about the number of people that are sleeping rough in each area. The data is used to inform service delivery and planning that is associated with programs like the Together Home Program.

Since January 2024 Southern Cross Housings Access and Demand Team have assisted 230 households helping them to access temporary accomodation and facilitating referrals to other specialist homelessness services in the Shoalhaven LGA.