Last minute deal keeps Hutt St Centre door open after funding cuts

Jobs at a CBD homeless service have been saved at the 11th hour after state government funding cuts appeared to have sealed their fate.

A last minute olive branch to the Hutt St Centre homelessness services is expected to save several jobs at the organisation when government funding is cut from today.

A new alliance for CBD services headed by Lutheran Care has struck a deal with the Catholic organisation to maintain some services, and also with Catherine House to continue care for women.

Hutt St Centre CEO Chris Burns said the fundign deal would mean the centre “will continue to support the 850 people at risk of or experiencing homelessness who access our services each month”.

“The agreement includes Hutt St Centre being sub-contracted to employ two staff to

provide a linkage between clients accessing primary care and triage services in our

Wellbeing Centre and the Toward Home Alliance staff,’’ he said.

The Advertiser understands around a dozen other jobs will be lost.

The providers of homeless services in the CBD were thrown into turmoil this month when a group led by Lutheran Care won the State Government tender.

Both lost around $1.2m in funding each, but the total funding was switched to the “winning” tenderers, five new service “alliances” across the state; Adelaide South, Adelaide North, Country South and Country North and for those suffering domestic and family violence.

Adelaide South (the city region) was the only contested alliance. Adelaide North, Country South and North and the new statewide domestic violence alliance services remain the same.

Housing Minister Michelle Lensink told The Advertiser Catherine House had struck an agreement with the Lutheran Care alliance for a prolonged three-month transition for 16 women to transition to the new services.

Hutt Street Centre chief executive Chris Burns with John, 72, who is a long term client on the Aged Care Living Program. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

“Also an agreement between Hutt St Centre and the Adelaide South alliance will allow the Hutt St Centre to act as a shop front to triage clients as they walk in the door,’’ she said.

“From July 1, the number of crisis beds is increasing from 95 to at least 96 crisis beds in the Adelaide South region.”

The Advertiser has contacted it and Catherine House for comment.

The Hutt Street Centre currently supports an estimated 2,000 people and Catherine House offers crisis accommodation for women who have suffered domestic violence.

For Catherine House the funding cut meant the loss of one third of its annual budget.

Total homelessness funding is increasing to $72.4m in 2021-22, up from $65.5m in 2017-18.

Homelessness services can be accessed state wide, 24/7 by calling Homeless Connect SA on 1800 003 308.