Taking place from 1-7 August 2021, Homelessness Week is a national campaign to raise awareness about homelessness.
Central Coast Council is taking this opportunity to raise awareness and educate the community about homelessness here on the Central Coast and highlight how we are working closely with key partners to help address this important issue.
Did you know that up to 100 people may be sleeping rough on any given night on the Central Coast?
Given the serious constraints on the local housing market and the growing rates of housing stress among very low-income renters, homelessness and hardship are likely to worsen over coming years if proper action is not taken.
Council's Central Coast Affordable and Alternative Housing Strategy identifies a range of strategies to assist in the prevention of homelessness and improve blockages in the local housing system.
This includes piloting new models of supported and alternative accommodation for vulnerable people, innovative programs in the private rental market, increased support for early intervention, as well as measures to improve the quality of life for our rough sleeper population. Watch our video to find out more about who needs affordable housing on the Coast.
We are already achieving some fantastic progress under the Strategy. Some key highlights and actions from Council since adopting the Strategy in 2019 include:
- Employment of an Affordable Housing Officer
- Council Affordable Housing Land (CAHL) Proposal - a framework for developing Affordable Housing on Council owned land.
- Transitional Properties Portfolio - Council-owned cottages have been made suitable for the market and will be tenanted in partnership with Keys 2 Realty a local not for profit estate agency.
- Central Coast Homelessness Protocol - policy and guidelines to formalise Council's approach to working with rough sleepers on Council land/property so that they have access to essential services as a priority.
- Brokerage Pilot Program - Local neighbourhood centres are piloting the program that will offer one off crisis support payments for people at risk of homelessness.
- Community Education - to increase awareness and acceptance, Council has developed a series of animated videos to educate the community on the local housing system and the need for high quality affordable housing,
Visit our Hardship and Homelessness Services page to learn more about the work that Council is doing in this area, and how you can access support if you are experiencing homelessness or hardship on the Central Coast.
