Rough sleeper gets help after living on Parramatta streets for months
ANTHONY Masterton lost his driver’s licence, his job, then walked out of his share house after receiving a $900 electricity bill. It was all much so he lived on the streets of Parramatta for months.
ANTHONY Masterton feels lucky to have said “yes” to accepting help from Heather Bourke.
The 38-year-old rough sleeper was living on Parramatta’s streets for months. He refused help many times leading up to Family and Community Services (FACS)’s assertive outreach program began in the Parramatta CBD last month.
The FACS senior client service officer, Ms Bourke said the intensive program saw her organisation, NSW Health, the Department of Human Services, NSW Police, non-government agencies who provide case management and the Rapid Relief Team providing meals, working together to rehome as many rough sleepers as possible, including Mr Masterton
Across the eight outreach visits, the program has housed 18 rough sleepers, something Ms Bourke said was “amazing” considering the last rough sleepers count for the Parramatta CBD earlier this year there was a tally of 63.
The program’s success means it will expand to Auburn and Merrylands shortly and have a long-term plan to spread as far as Penrith and the lower Blue Mountains.
She said it was intensive but rewarding work, seeing people like Mr Masterton find somewhere to live.
“Everyone deserves a second chance, or third,” she said.
“It’s rewarding from my end, knowing I’ve been able to help someone and provide them with support to live a fulfilling life.
“I can’t walk past someone who is homeless without helping.”
Mr Masterton’s rough sleeping began shortly after he started an apprenticeship. He lost his driver’s licence and said it was a snowball effect.
“I couldn’t pay rent in the share house and a $900 utilities bill came in,” he said.
“It got to the point where I had nothing so started sleeping on the streets of Parramatta.
“I packed up my bag and walked out with my dog.”
His relationship with his partner broke down well before and once he was on the streets, his children stopped wanting to see him.
“When the kids didn’t want to see me, that hurt the most,” he said.
He was camping by the river and a big lot of rain came down one night when he was visiting his children. He came back to find his sleeping bag and his belongings floating down Parramatta River.
IN OTHER NEWS
After accepting temporary accommodation through Housing, Mr Masterton was told within a fortnight they’d been able to find him a place.
“I didn’t care what it looked like. I was so happy,” he said.
He’s been living in his two-bedroom Parramatta unit for two weeks and said it was still overwhelming. He initially slept on the floor in the living area but is now sleeping through the night in his bed.
“I wake up in the morning and feel empty. I feel like I’m ready to take the next step and get back into work.”
HOUSING FIRST
● The Family and Community Services assertive outreach program’s focus is “housing first”
● Any rough sleepers with a bad history with Housing get a fresh slate
● They are offered immediate temporary accommodation with the view of permanent housing and services to “wrap around” support
● Case managers work with the person for at least three months
● This is often longer, depending on the person’s complexities
● The State Government has invested $61 million over the next four years to expand assertive outreach, early intervention and tenancy supports for those experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness
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