Specialist Homelessness Service for Adults and Families

Understanding Homelessness

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) statistical definition of homelessness.

“When a person does not have suitable accommodation alternatives, they are considered homeless if their current living arrangement:

• is in a dwelling that is inadequate; or
• has no tenure, or if their initial tenure is short and not extendable; or
• does not allow them to have control of, and access to space for social relations”

Homelessness is a lack of:

• a sense of security, stability, privacy, safety
• the ability to control a living space.

Examples of homelessness situations

• people are without conventional accommodation. For example: sleeping rough or in improvised dwellings.
• people frequently move from one temporary shelter to another. For example: emergency accommodation, refuges, and “couch surfing."
• people are staying in accommodation that falls below minimum community standards. For example: boarding houses, motels and caravan parks.

How To Access Our Homelessness Services

You may be referred to our SHS program by another organisation or agency, or you can self-refer.

Crisis and Transitional Accommodation

Crisis Accommodation is immediate, short-term emergency housing for those in immediate danger, like escaping domestic violence or sudden homelessness.

Transitional Housing is short-to-medium term (e.g., 3-18 months) housing with support to help you stabilize and move into long-term housing.

CRISIS ACCOMMODATION FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN

At the Dubbo Women’s Refuge women and women with accompanying children are supported and assisted to establish a routine and a rental record, access specialist support services, build resilience and secure long-term accommodation.

The refuge is set up to ensure residents’ safety and wellbeing and provide continued care until they can live independently or find alternative safe accommodation. Our trained and experienced team attempts to ensure that each person’s stay is as comfortable as possible, providing support through a trauma-informed approach.

The refuge has private bedrooms, along with access to shared kitchen, bathrooms and indoor and outdoor living areas.

Women contribute to their accommodation by payment of a weekly accommodation fee.

Case management support is provided to all women and children at the refuge to help navigate their complex needs and maintain safety. Support staff are culturally sensitive and trained in specialised areas, enabling them to provide appropriate support reflecting each resident’s needs.

Women and children staying at the refuge can be supported with immediate needs such as financial assistance, applying for Apprehended Domestic Violence Orders (ADVOs), or transport options to attend appointments. Advocacy is also offered to support women and children in accessing counselling and other specialist services relevant to the needs of the family or individual.

Common supports and referrals are

• WDVCAS (Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Services)
• Staying Home Leaving Violence program
• health services, including specialist services
• financial assistance, such as applying for programs like the Escaping Violence Payment, and legal aid, financial counselling
• setting up CentrePay
• counselling support
• domestic violence support groups
• early education
• education and employment services
• parenting programs
• living skills programs
• family restoration

CRISIS ACCOMMODATION FOR SINGLE MEN

Sturt House provides short-term accommodation for adult males who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

The refuge has shared bedrooms - two per room and access to communal kitchen, bathrooms, laundry and indoor and outdoor recreation areas.

Men contribute to their accommodation by payment of a weekly accommodation fee.

Accommodation is supported with the refuge staff providing support in:

• Setting up CentrePay
• Developing a routine, a rental record and independent living skills
• Connecting with the community
• Work experience and job applications
• Referrals for specialist services

Under development

Transitional houses offer short-to-medium-term, affordable housing with support services (like counselling, job help, life skills) for people exiting homelessness or crisis accommodation, bridging the gap to stable, long-term housing by helping residents build independence and stability over 3 to 18 months with case management.

They provide a supportive environment for individuals and families to get back on their feet and find permanent housing.

The focus of supports is on professional support, case management, life skills training and moving residents into stable, long-term housing.

Tenants Advice & Advocacy Services (TAAS): https://www.tenants.org.au/all/taas

NEWTAAS provides information, advice, advocacy and representation in the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal to people who rent their homes.

Case management is the key to assisting and working effectively with people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and who have a range of complex needs.

Our Client Support Workers collaborate with each client to develop a client-centred, strengths- based case management plan which meets the client’s needs and expectations. Short, medium and long-term goals are set, with strategies included in the Plan to meet those goals.

Case management is provided through our SHS team for adults, accompanying children and young people and families to build knowledge and skills to enhance self-care, self-determination and independence and break the cycle of homelessness.

Supports:

• Client-centred
• Strengths-based
• Trauma-informed
• Holistic wrap-around
• Culturally competent
• Culturally safe
• Inclusive
• Child safe

Our SHS Support Workers actively support, speak for, and represent each client's views, wishes, and rights to ensure their needs are met and they are treated fairly within various systems like healthcare, legal, or social services.

This function helps clients, especially those who feel overwhelmed, confused, or unable to speak for themselves, to have their voices heard.

Our SHS Team offers outreach support services across the Dubbo Regional and Narromine Shire local government areas. We work together with clients to agree what support they need at the times that work best for them.

Through community collaboration we identify at-risk adults and families and provide support (mediation, counselling, housing help, skills training, food, clothing) to prevent homelessness before it starts.

• Unstable tenancies
• Leaving custody
• Leaving care
• Unemployment
• Dependencies
• Mental health

• Phone NSW Police and Ambulance 000 (If 000 fails, try 112 on your mobile)
• Contact 1800RESPECT 1800 737 732 or text 0458 737 732
• Lifeline 13 11 14
• Men’s Referral Service 1300 766 491
• Mensline Australia 1300 789 978
• Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800
• Elder Abuse Hotline 1300 651 192
• Financial Counselling Australia 1800 007 007
• Beyond Blue 1300 224 636
• 13YARN 13 92 76
• Family Drug Support 1300 368 186