More than 160 people have been housed by Tweed Assertive Outreach program, an evidence-based practice that helps people sleeping rough find pathways to long term housing solutions.
More than 160 people have been housed by Tweed Assertive Outreach since the pilot program rolled out in the Tweed Shire in 2019.
Assertive Outreach is an evidence-based practice that helps people sleeping rough find pathways to long term housing solutions.
It is funded by the state government and delivered collaboratively in the Tweed between Social Futures, Momentum Collective, NSW Department of Communities and Justice and NSW Health.
Social Futures is heartened by the demonstrated ongoing success of Tweed Assertive Outreach.
Social Futures CEO Tony Davies said the extension of funding for Tweed Assertive Outreach announced earlier this year was welcome news.
“This vital program meets an ongoing need for support, and it delivers results for community members, with more than 90% of people housed through the program maintaining their housing over the longer term.
That’s why it won the Premier’s Award for excellence last year, and with housing stress worsening, we need it to continue.
The success of the program is an excellent example of what can be achieved through collaboration, in this instance between Social Futures, Momentum Collective and government.”
Outside of Sydney, Tweed Heads was selected as one of the first regional pilot sites in New South Wales due to extremely high rates of rough sleeping. The Northern Rivers has over 35% of the state’s rough sleepers but less than 4% of the state’s population, explained Mr Davies.
The intensive evidence-based practice sees staff with expertise in complex case management proactively visit areas used by people who are experiencing homelessness.
A participant of the Tweed Assertive Outreach program, Darrell, shares his experience,
“They did great work they came and picked me up. Took my name, asked me my situation you know, living rough.”
Well mate I don’t sleep in the gutter anymore. I don’t sleep in a park. I don’t have to look for somewhere to stay out of the rain, somewhere to get a shower or a feed, or to feel safe.
The help they’re giving me, to get me back on my feet, to benefit me from here on in, Social Futures helps, mate. They’ve put me in the right direction…”
Rather than relying on individuals to seek out a support service, the Assertive Outreach model brings services to the person, respectfully seeking to meet without intruding on their privacy.
People experiencing rough sleeping are provided with Temporary Accommodation and intensive casework support that sees individuals assisted to connect with a range of supports including access to healthcare, employment services, and help to rebuild family, community and cultural connections.
Social Futures, Program Worker Connecting Home, Sacha Zunic said, “We meet people sleeping rough on the streets in the Tweed Shire with the goal of trying to pathway them into longer term housing solutions. At that point we start our ongoing active casework.
“It’s helping the clients navigate a pretty tricky system. So, we really advocate for our clients particularly if they’ve been exited or declined from services, just to try and uplift them back in those spaces making sure that they can develop the skills and the capacities to be able to do that for themselves after we withdraw our service.”
Caseworkers continue to provide support after the participant secures long-term social housing. Usually for up to a year, but this can be extended if needed.
The aim of the Assertive Outreach program is to empower participants to improve their overall health and wellbeing, and further develop their capacity to meet the demands of daily living to manage and maintain long term tenancies.
The Assertive Outreach program originally began in Sydney in 2017.
If you, or someone you know, is sleeping rough, contact the Assertive Outreach intake line on 1800 048 310.
If you are experiencing homelessness and need emergency accommodation please call Link2Home 1800 152 152 or visit our website for a range of 24 hour emergency contacts
