The NSW Government is working hard to break the cycle of homelessness and has recently signed a global agreement to halve street homelessness across the State by 2025.
Our Superintendent, the Rev Keith Garner AM, was pleased to be one of the signatories to the agreement signed at Parliament with Premier Gladys Berejiklian, and Minister for Social Housing Pru Goward MP, alongside other major service providers.
The Premier spoke on the collective role we must all play to break that cycle:
“Homelessness is a complex social issue that cannot be solved by government alone – that’s why we will be inviting the best and brightest from the frontline and from the community to collaborate with us to find new ways of tackling street homelessness.”
The Institute of Global Homelessness have founded ‘A Place to Call Home’ initiative, aimed to support homelessness services in Sydney to set goals and strategies to reduce rough sleeping numbers and to measure and track their progress.
Chair of the Institute, Dame Louise Casey, said, “there is an emerging global movement to end homelessness and NSW is leading by example and will help other cities around the world to set ambitious, achievable goals to end street homelessness.”
Mr Garner said, “this is an exciting project which will help to set the direction for the next five years in addressing the root causes of homelessness, as well as reducing the long-term impact of homelessness.”
To learn more about the NSW Government’s plans to halve homelessness by 2025, visit here.
To support Wesley Edward Eagar Lodge, Wesley Mission’s crisis accommodation for individuals who are experiencing homelessness, visit here. Wesley Edward Eagar Lodge offers safe and secure single rooms, plus access to a range of practical services and support to help individuals get back on their feet.
Images: St Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney