Bega MP Andrew Constance is to be commended for personally taking up the cause early in the Baird Government’s second term.

Without his personal intervention, it is unlikely the funding would have been secured, as it appeared all avenues had been exhausted.

Now, the charity which runs Hope Place for families and Hope House for men can plan ahead – for at least for 12 months.

However, it must be said that Community Life should never have been in the position of having to go cap-in-hand for funding.

The Bay Post/Moruya Examiner has for several years reported on the Eurobodalla Shire’s on-going rental crisis.

For four successive years, the shire has been regarded as a “housing black spot” in an Anglicare survey of housing affordability.

This affects not just those on unemployment benefits, but those on aged or disability pensions, and the working poor – single parents and families trying to survive on the minimum wage.

Community Life has been a safety net not just for those in need, but for the entire community.

Homeless services and centres for those fleeing family violence are essential – yet both these sectors have known unprecedented upheaval and uncertainty in recent years.

The Bay Post/Moruya Examiner hopes Community Life is able to secure ongoing, permanent funding and will not have to experience another funding merry-go-round.

While ever homelessness exists, these services must be funded without question.

Being forced to apply each year for funding puts undue pressure on staff members, who already work in a stressful sector.

The burn-out rate for welfare workers is high – let’s not make it higher by making them jump through hoops every year to provide services no-one can possibly deny are needed.