$264,000 funding cut to affect Riverwood Community Centre projects
HUNDREDS of vulnerable people could be disadvantaged after the government cuts its funding to Riverwood Community Centre’s tenancy and housing programs from the end of November.
The Express
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HUNDREDS of vulnerable people could be disadvantaged after the government cuts its funding to Riverwood Community Centre’s tenancy and housing programs from the end of November.
The centre CEO Michelle Newman and chairman Karl Saleh said the many important programs which have been running for decades, will now be stopped when the $264,000 funding is cut, potentially leaving many locals in the lurch.
“The current programs, the Tenant Participation and Resources Services (TPRS) and the Housing Communities Programs (HCP), are being replaced by the Tenant Participation and Community Engagement (TPCE) program from end of November,” Ms Newman said.
However, Social Housing Minister Pru Goward said their new providers, Mission Australia, will strengthen community ties for people.
“The new program will offer tenants more opportunities to access information, timely advice and find links to support services that will assist them to maintain a successful tenancy,” Ms Goward said.
“The program will also ensure that tenant voices are heard in the development and delivery of reforms.”
Mission Australia were announced as the successful provider of the TPCE program on Tuesday, a few days after Ms Newman said they had not heard who the new providers will be.
More than 300 people signed a petition started by the centre to get the funding restored. The centre now has more than 500 signatures to have to get the issue heard at the NSW Parliament via a Private Member’s statement.
Lakemba state Labor MP Jihad Dib was among those present when the petition was signed.
Ms Newman, who took over the role three months ago, said they sometimes have as many as 2000 people coming each week for their services.
“Riverwood Community Centre received about $264,000 in 2017/18 to deliver the programs in Riverwood and to also support 57 tenant groups across the Eastern Suburbs, Inner West, St George and Sutherland,” Ms Newman said.
“The program change will increase uncertainty for tenants, who are already facing considerable uncertainty as the second stage of the redevelopment of the Riverwood Estate is not finalised.
”Social stability and cohesion may be jeopardised...there is no other community service organisation located nearby the Riverwood estate and our centre has the right background, experience, success and location to support the tenants of the Riverwood estate.”
Ms Newman said the centre delivers children’s, youth, family and aged care services, an information and referral service, and manages a community garden and a Men’s Shed.
Mission Australia CEO James Toomey said: “With this new program, the people and families who live in social housing will have better access to information, advice and opportunities so they can be more actively involved in any processes and decisions about improving their homes.”
Ms Newman said they are very concerned that longstanding relationships they have developed with tenants in the Riverwood area, will now be lost.
She said the centre delivers children’s, youth, family and aged care services, an information and referral service, and manages a community garden and a Men’s Shed, all important for the well being of the community.
The centre is the meeting place for many groups in the Riverwood estate and the community, with Ms Newman saying it also serves a place to connect people to different services.
“We initiated a petition in response to redevelopment issues confronting residents of the Riverwood estate and calling for funding for the centre to continue to support residents,” she said.