"If we are to really addresshomelessness in inner Sydney then we need an ongoing co-ordinated, wellresourced plan that provides affordable housing with support and cross-agencyleadership that focuses on preventing exits into homelessness from prisons,health services and housing." said Katherine McKernan, CEO of Homelessness NSW.
"This approach has been adoptedinternationally and works. Finland, forexample, has been able to reduce its crisis beds from 600 down to 52 through shiftingits focus from crisis support to investing in social housing with support."said Ms McKernan.
Roughsleepers represent only 7% of the broader homeless population so the consistentfigures reveal an ongoing problem that needs action from the NSW Government toaddress the affordable housing crisis in Sydney.
"The2016/17 AIHW homelessness services data released recently revealed that acrossNSW more than 74,000 people sought assistance from homelessness services. This is an increase of 43% since 2013/14 and30% more clients than services are funded to support."
Worryingly,2 in 5 were unable to access any form of crisis accommodation and 2 in 3 werewithout housing even after support from a homelessness service.
"Thisis a system that is stretched to breaking point. Homelessness will continue toremain at high levels unless the NSW Government invests in the social housingsystem, takes action to reduce the cost of private rentals and appropriatelyresources support to people at risk of and experiencing homelessness," said MsMcKernan.
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