HOMELESSNESS is a central part of Impact Eurobodalla’s focus, and here it takes a collective approach to early intervention.
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Impact’s business manager, Francesca Davis, says that the lack of affordable housing is a very real problem in the shire, some of it caused by the number of rental houses also used for short-term holiday lettings.
Impact’s community engagement worker Sarnia Ralston is putting her innovative ideas into action to spread the message about support services.
She takes “Poppy Pop-Up” out to as many places as she can – with court days just added to the list – to let people know about the many services that can ease their burden.
On Poppy, a touch screen on a portable stand, people can access Eurobodalla Path 2 Home, an all-embracing directory of information on everything from emergency services, beds, food, support services and things most of us take for granted such as showers, toilets and washing clothes.
This great device for instant connections to services can also be downloaded as an app.
“We spend as little on overheads as possible so we can spread the message through such things as Poppy,” Ms Davis said.
Under the reforms, people who need help with housing only have to register their details once with a local service or with the link2home number (1800 152 152).
“One of the big changes in the reform, Staying Home, is paramount,” Ms Davis said.
“We want people to know that they don’t have to become homeless.
“For example, if you can’t pay your bills, you can get help from a free financial service, and we are also asking real estate agents to let tenants who are behind in their rent know where they can get help.”
On February 26, Family and Community Services will host the Homelessness Forum at BayLink in Batemans Bay.
“We want interested and concerned people to work together to create solutions, and not let it happen piecemeal,” Ms Davis said.
“We can’t just sit back and let government run it – we are asking the community to join in.
“We want to hear from the community.”