THE future of a service that supports youth at risk of homelessness and mental health breakdown is in doubt because of funding reforms.
St George Accommodation for Youth, Hurstville, could close because of reforms to the state government’s Going Home Staying Home program that came into force in 2012.
The centre, formerly at Brighton-Le-Sands, has helped young people aged 16 to 25 — including new migrants — in the region for 31 years. Through collaboration with other agencies in the community, its social workers aim to break the cycle of homelessness by building strong independence through its Sustainable Tenancy Program.
The service is funded by NSW Family and Community Services.
However the District Director of NSW Family and Community Services Geraldine O'Grady said in a letter to the Leader on March 11 that funding would continue under the Service Support Fund. (See more below)
As part of the reforms, all specialist housing services, including youth and women’s refuges, medium-term youth supported transitional housing and family accommodation, were put up for tender in November last year.
St George Accommodation and other youth accommodation services in the area, including Southern Sydney Youth Refuge, Penshurst, The Bridge Youth Refuge, Sutherland, and crisis accommodation and women's refuge Jacaranda Cottage, were not successful.
Project Youth won the tender to be the main youth support service in the south-east region.
Temporary funding of 15 months was offered to help services that missed out, but this expires in January 2016.
St George Accommodation for Youth manager Lynn Birnie said it was turbulent times.
"The future fate of our programs are by no means secure under our temporary funding status," she said.
"This is a critical service for young people."
St George Accommodation also works with St George Mental Health by offering targeted clinical and case management support.
Ms Birnie said Project Youth did not have the necessary resources to support young people with mental health problems.
St George Accommodation board secretary Rob Lindsay said the reforms were problematic.
"The slogan 'Going Home Staying Home' implies that all the problems around youth homelessness can be patched up and the young people can return home and live happily ever after," he said.
"While this is the case in some instances, there are issues that cause breakdowns between some young people and their families — and some of these differences are irreconcilable."
District Director of NSW Family and Community Services Geraldine O'Grady said in a letter to the Leader on March 11 that funding would continue under the Service Support Fund.
She said the Minister for family and Community Services Gabrielle Upton announced on February 27 that ''this funding will continue until the end of June 2017 and all providers funded under the Service Support Fund, including St George Accommodation for Youth, were notified. This brings new services funded under the Service Support Fund into line with funding under the Specialist Homelessness Services Program.
''Project Youth were successful in the tender for the new St George Sutherland Youth Support Service and are working in partnership with The Bridge Youth Service and Jacaranda Cottage (Churches of Christ Community Care),'' the letter said.
''This new service provides accommodation and support to young people who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless in St George and Sutherland areas.
''Under the Going Home Staying Home reforms the NSW Government is investing $148 million per year in homelessness services, which is an increase of 9.6 per cent from last year. No Government owned refuges are closing, although they may now be managed by a different provider.
''New services are better suited to the needs of the local community and provide more support earlier, before people reach crisis.
''The title Going Home Staying Home, reflects the reforms dual focus on helping people who are homeless on their journey home (going home), and for those who are at risk to help them to stay in safe and stable accommodation (staying home).
''People who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless can call Link2home 24 hours a day, seven days a week on 1800 152 152 for information about local support and accommodation,'' Geraldine O'Grady, District Director.
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