An increasing number of people are turning to 鈥渙ne stop support shops鈥�, designed to help Australians facing homelessness access the help they need, as the housing crisis and cost of living pressures continue.
Since 2023, not-for-profit Link Wentworth鈥檚 Support Hubs in Penrith, the Hawkesbury, and the Blue Mountains have provided vital services to more than 1300 people experiencing housing stress or homelessness.
Link Wentworth Program Manager, Toni Joseph said 星空视频lessness Week 2024 (5-11 August) was an important opportunity to recognise the growing demand for Community Support Hubs, with housing still in short supply and cost-of-living hikes crippling those who can least afford it.
鈥淎t the Penrith Support Hub alone, between 40 and 60 people attend every month, and that number is climbing,鈥� Ms Joseph said.
鈥淥ur Community Support Hubs are valuable because they bring together all the services somebody might need if they鈥檙e homeless or struggling to make ends meet. At the Hub, we can help you find a home, discuss your finances, or get you some medical or mental health support, all in the one location. It鈥檚 a one stop support shop to help make people aware of the help that is available to them and get them the assistance they need.鈥�
Link Wentworth鈥檚 Support Hubs bring together more than 30 service providers, including Mission Australia, Sydney Water, Service NSW, Hearing Australia, and the Benevolent Society.
Snacks and refreshments are provided, and often gifts, the most popular of which has been free pet food, and blankets.
Link Wentworth is one of Australia鈥檚 largest providers of social housing, giving 10,000 Sydney residents a safe, secure, and affordable place to live.
Key statistics:
- There are more than 122,000 people experiencing homelessness on any given night ()
- One in seven people who were homeless on Census night in 2021 were aged 55 and over (Census)
- Around 19,300 people aged 55 and above are homeless on any given night. (Census)
- 200 women and children will be turned away from homelessness services today ()
- We need 437,500 more social and affordable homes for low-income households (鈥�).
Media enquiries
Eva Gerencer, Chief Communications Officer
eva.gerencer@linkwentworth.org.au
0427 926 588
Link Wentworth wishes to acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the Land on which we work and pay our respect to the Elders past, present and emerging, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.