Police and paramedics to be based at Salvation Army homelessness centre for pilot program

POLICE and paramedics will feature in a new program to ensure that rough sleepers in the inner city get better access to services.

POLICE and paramedics will be based at a key CBD homelessness centre in a bid to provide better services for rough sleepers.

A Melbourne first, the three-month trial of the Salvation Army’s new Community Hub in Bourke St will occur on Wednesdays from 8am to 2pm.

The hub, which has a bathroom, kitchen and office, is next to the Salvos’ Magpie Nest Cafe, providing meals and refreshments for the homeless 22 hours a day.

COLES PARTNERS WITH MAGPIES TO AID HOMELESS

BRENDAN NOTTLE WALKS TO CANBERRA TO TACKLE HOMELESSNESS

STREETCOUNT FINDS ALMOST 400 ROUGH SLEEPERS IN INNER CITY

The Salvation Army’s Brendan Nottle with Collingwood star Jordan De Goey at Magpie Nest Cafe in Bourke St. Picture: Michael Klein

Salvation Army Melbourne Project 614 leader Brendan Nottle said having police and ambulance officers stationed at the hub would help rough sleepers.

“As part of this three-month pilot, agencies will undertake a risk and needs assessment of Melbourne’s rough sleeper community and assist in connecting people to the supports and services they need,” he said.

“Agencies will be able to respond immediately; one example is medical assistance such as wound care.”

The hub is supported by Melbourne City Council, which will also provide staff for the trial.

Lord Mayor Sally Capp said all agencies needed to work together to help the city’s most vulnerable people.

“We’re looking for actions in the city that will bring lasting change to people’s lives — not just quick fixes that trap people in cycles of poverty and disadvantage,” she said.

The hub will be officially launched on Wednesday as will a report on the Salvos’ concierge program at Bourke St.

Concierges are former long-term homeless people who have been trained to liaise and help rough sleepers seeking help from the Salvos centre.

The report found the program had boosted amenity in the eastern end of the city by engaging with the homeless and helping local traders deal with rough-sleeper issues.

[e-mail]

@JMasanauskas