Premier heralds new changes to assist the homeless
NSW Premier Chris Minns fronted the media in the back garden of Bondi’s Jewish House care facility.
Rose Jackson, NSW Minister for Housing and Homelessness, Premier Chris Minns, Jewish House President Roger Clifford, Kate Davies, Manager of Policy and Research, Homelessness NSW, Jewish House CEO Rabbi Mendel Kastel Photo: Lauren Melia
Jewish House is well-known for providing temporary accommodation for the homeless but up until July 1, the maximum stay allowed by the authorities has been 48 hours.
On July 1, the time was extended to seven days by the NSW Labor government.
CEO of Jewish House Rabbi Mendel Kastel said: “We’ve been advocating for a long time to say how important it is that we provide a little bit of extra time to really give people an opportunity to get the outcomes they need.”
Premie Chris Mines said: “I think it will make a major difference for people who are going through the trauma of being homeless. We changed the restrictions so that those that are suffering from homelessness have access to seven days of temporary accommodation rather than just 48 hours.
It will make a major difference in terms of outcomes for those that are seeking accommodation, either with the Department of Housing or in the private rental market or through some other means, and those forced to go back into living on the streets sleeping rough and adding to the homelessness situation in Sydney in particular.”
The Premier also announced that the government had scrapped the asset requirements for those fleeing family and domestic violence. could only have access to temporary accommodation if they had assets of less than $1,000. He confirmed that the restriction has been removed.
He added: “We will look to find more permanent housing, as well as accessing the support services that the state and wonderful private providers like Jewish House provide.”
Currently, you have two days to try and get your life back on track. That’s barely time. Have a shower, have a meal, get some rest. We’re extending that out to seven days. That’s a proper and adequate window to access support services. Do you need financial counselling? Do you need court support? If you’re a domestic violence victim? Do you need drug and alcohol rehabilitation services? With that seven-day window, we can set people up for success as opposed to what the current arrangements do, which is cycle people through two days and two days and two days.”Kate Davies, Manager of Policy and Research, Homelessness NSW, added: “The reality is temporary accommodation is not permanent accommodation. It’s a room in a specialist homelessness service which is fantastic for people. It’s a motel room that has a roof over their heads and a bed to sleep in, and a shower to use. It’s not intended as permanent or even transitional accommodation.”
J-Wire asked Rabbi Mendel Kastel if Jewish House had been able to provide extensions on the previous two-day limit.
He said: “We always ask for extensions, but then they have to go into the housing office and have to ask for it, and it’s a waste of the whole day just trying to get an extension. So this will make it a lot easier for them. In finding other accommodation, there are many options, including hotels and boarding houses. I am confident no other facility can offer the care which Jewish House provided.”
