Northern NSW homelessness services team up with real estate agents to curb rough sleeper numbers

Northern NSW grassroots homelessness services have banded together for Homelessness Week to help real estate agents improve outcomes for those sleeping rough.

Lismore. A tent sits under a bridge on the edge of town, homeless people and drug users are said to often live in tents along the river. Picture: David Swift

Northern NSW grassroots homelessness services have banded together for Homelessness Week to help real estate agents improve outcomes for those sleeping rough.

Community service organisations Social Futures, Northern Rivers Community Gateway and Northern Rivers Housing are hosting an event that explores practical tips that real estate agents and tenants can use to help prevent homelessness.

The event aims to equip agents with a deeper understanding of the challenges faced, and practical ways to make an impact.

The Social Futures Connecting Home team will also visit real estate agent offices throughout Lismore, Casino and Kyogle, delivering resources that outline the types of help available for both agents and tenants.

Lismore. A photo of a disused train station on the edge of town with rubbish from homeless people living on the fringes. Picture: David Swift

The initiative aims to help tenants having trouble keeping their tenancies by giving agents contact details and information about support services they can refer their tenants to.

Resources for tenants include tips for maintaining tenancy, information about the range of financial support available, and where to go for help.

Social Futures General Manager, Housing Homelessness and Employment, Martelle Geurts said local homelessness services are conscious of the emotional load Northern Rivers locals were carrying,

She said rising inflation and the cost-of-living crisis had added mounting pressure on those not yet recovered from the pandemic and 2022 flood disaster.

“This year has been a particularly tough one for many with rising cost-of-living pressures on the back of flood recovery,” Ms Geurts said.

“We are grateful for ongoing support from the Diocese of Lismore, whose contributions provide critical relief for everyday people doing it tough.”

Lismore. A tent sits under a bridge on the edge of town, homeless people and drug users are said to often live in tents along the river. Picture: David Swift

She said homelessness as a national issue was “daunting”, especially to those already exhausted and overwhelmed – yet by focusing on small, preventative actions, individuals could “make a big difference”.

In the 12 months to June this year, Social Futures’ combined Specialist Homelessness Services programs supported a total of 2,143 people.

“People experiencing homelessness represented just over 56 per cent of this figure, with the remaining 888 people receiving support while at risk of homelessness,” Ms Geurts said.

Lucie White, left, and Cathy Serventy from Social Futures.

“We are urging agents to encourage tenants who may be struggling financially, emotionally or physically, to seek support early. The sooner someone reaches out to us, the sooner plans can be developed to help get them back on track.”

Ms Geurts said people should not wait for problems to compound.

“By connecting people to the right support at the right time, we can help stabilise their life. It reduces the risk of them becoming homeless, and can have positive, life-changing consequences immediately and well into the future,” she said.

Data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare shows that during 2022-23, 273,600 people across Australia were helped by homelessness services but a further 108,000 people were unable to be assisted due to shortages of staff, accommodation, or other services.

Lismore. A tent sits under a bridge on the edge of town, homeless people and drug users are said to often live in tents along the river. Picture: David Swift

It also indicates that on any given day across NSW in 2023, 334 homelessness services agencies were supporting more than 19,000 clients.

“Approximately 3,800 of these clients were young people presenting alone,” Ms Geurts said.

Connecting Home is a government funded and voluntary service delivered by Social Futures and provided to young people (16-25), adults (of any age), and families.

The program provides support across the entire Northern Rivers regions from Grafton to Tweed Heads.