Former homeless man Shane in much better place now after FACS finds a house for him in Riverwood

SHANE felt like “he had won Lotto” when he received a phone call from the Department of Family and Community Services in February to tell him he had a permanent home in Riverwood.

Former homeless man Shane on the balcony of his new home in Riverwood. Picture: Angelo Velardo

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SHANE felt like “he had won Lotto” when he received a phone call from the Department of Family and Community Services (FACS) in February.

The call was to tell Shane that FACS had secured a permanent home for him in Riverwood.

For Shane, who did not want his surname revealed, it was just the news he wanted to hear after being homeless for almost 10 years.

August 7-12 marks Homelessness Week and in 2017-18, FACS will spend $15.4 million on specialist homelessness services.

Shane inside his refurbished flat in Riverwood provided for him by Department of Family and Community Services. Picture: Angelo Velardo

After the travel customer service manager was made redundant, he became depressed, drank heavily, spent his payout and ended up on the streets.

“It (homelessness) can happen, very, very quickly and it’s just a downward spiral,” Shane said. “You don’t realise how bad it is until you reach rock bottom.”

Shane slept rough in Martin Place but left because of the violence, alcohol and drugs and ended up sleeping in a disabled toilet in The Domain.

But he got his life back on track and is in a ”much happier place today mentally” after visiting a housing office in Martin Place. FACS found Shane emergency accommodation and referred him to support services to address his alcoholism and health problems.

On February 13, Shane moved in to his refurbished one-bedroom flat in Riverwood. Appliances and furniture were supplied by St Vincent de Paul Society.

Shane with Department of Family and Community Services client services officer Yana Piper in his Riverwood flat. Picture: Angelo Velardo

“It’s absolutely beautiful — it’s spacious and secure and I’ve got fantastic neighbours,” he said.

Shane praised FACS client services officer Yana Piper for her help. He said more housing stock was needed but he called on the homeless to “get off their backsides” and seek the available support.

Ms Piper said Housing NSW was there to help those in need: “Don’t be afraid to approach us by calling 1800 152 152 or go to housingpathways.nsw.gov.au.”

Meantime, Mission Australia will hold a free community event, featuring Bulldogs players, at Belmore Sports Ground on Friday from 3.30pm-7pm to highlight youth homelessness. It offers free food, entertainment and an art exhibition.