MAC hosts community and government leaders to launch new report

Mission Australia's latest report An icon for exit: The Mission Australia Centre 2005-2008 was launched yesterday by the Hon. Tanya Plibersek, Federal Minister for Housing , at the Mission Australia Centre (MAC) in Sydney's inner-city suburb of Surry Hills.

A s the name suggests, An icon for exit provides a detailed review of the 'all-round' programs run through MAC from 2005-2008.

The event featured a key speech from a MAC client, who provided insight into the practical needs of those trying to overcome crisis. He noted that it was MAC's ability to provide a range of diverse services "under the same roof" that enabled him to transform his life.

The event's speakers reinforced the need for modern service providers to facilitate 'all-round' services - a wide array of services is required by those seeking a sustainable solution to their crisis, such as employment services, medical and dental support, legal support, educational services, financial literacy training and conflict resolution.

Senator Mark Arbib, Federal Minister for Employment Participation, also attended to officially launch Mission Australia Employment Solutions , which facilitates the Federal Government's Job Services Australia program.

Download a free copy of An icon for exit: The Mission Australia Centre 2005-2008

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Further reading

Sydney Morning Herald ran a story today about the journey of two MAC clients, read on at the Fairfax website

Key facts from the report:

• Clients achieved 80% of their goals compared to 42% at the crisis shelter the MAC replaced (an important part of working with homeless clients is to set a goal, eg: to find independent accommodation, to beat drug addiction, etc, and work towards achieving it).
• Of clients leaving the MAC there was a 10% decline in people returning to the streets and a 6% increase in those living in a house or flat. Studies show that of men leaving traditional crisis accommodation, around 18% simply move to another short-term shelter while almost 45% return to living on the streets or squat.
• Following their time at MAC, there was a significant decline in the proportion of clients reliant on the Newstart Allowance - 58% down to 48% - and an increase in the proportion whose income came from wages/salary - from 7% to 14%.
• 48% of MAC clients weren't in the labour force before coming to the service, after leaving the centre this dropped to 36%.
• Clients stay at the MAC for an average 68 days compared to the 1-3 days at the previous service. Longer stays mean better results.
• MAC provides its full range of supports for only $154 a day per person. This is a significantly lower cost per day than providing a bed in another institutional setting (eg: hospital $600/pd or jail $200/pd).