Work begins on new Redfern aged homeless facility

The first sod has been turned at the site of Mission Australia’s new $16 million facility in Sydney’s Redfern, which aims to address the increasing need for permanent accommodation for the city’s aged homeless.

The Minister for Mental Health, Mark Butler, as well as the Minister for Human Services and Social Inclusion, Tanya Plibersek, officially launched the construction of the Redfern facility on Friday afternoon.

Based on Charles Chambers Court (CCC) in Surry Hills – our existing award-winning service for Sydney’s aged homeless – the Redfern facility will offer permanent accommodation for 72 residents alongside 24-hour nursing and medical assistance, psychiatric support, good nutrition, allied health intervention, social interaction and community participation.

At the launch, Mr Butler said that although homelessness was generally considered to be something primarily affecting younger Australians, the reality was that more elderly people – and increasingly women - were finding it hard to secure safe and affordable accommodation.

“This is an extremely important project, because we know from the last Census that it’s a fast-growing group,” Mr Butler said. “It’s also a high-needs group, and it’s important to recognise that those people who access aged homeless services have quite different needs to others in aged care.”

Ms Plibersek said the new Redfern site was a “symbol of what’s been happening with the debate in homelessness in Australia and service provision.”

“This will be an investment for decades to come,” she added. “It will take the hardest to help people off the streets and give them a home for the first time in years, or even decades – and hope and security for the future.”

According to Mission Australia’s Aged Care Operations Manager, Jill Bicknell, the majority of residents accessing the new facility will have a mental illness or acquired brain injury and are likely to experience much higher levels of illness due to a lifetime of chronic homelessness, unsanitary living conditions and malnutrition.

“Each resident will have their own room and en suite,” Ms Bicknell said. “Each floor of 12 residents will have a separate dining room, lounge area, recreational space and clinics. There will also be a roof-top garden.

“We know from existing services that most elderly homeless people have no contact with family and limited social networks, so building that sense of community is really important to their wellbeing and mental health.”

The new service is funded by the Federal Department of Health and Ageing under the Aged Care Funding Instrument and, unlike mainstream aged care services, will not require residents to make bond payments. As is the case at most other aged care facilities, residents will contribute 85 per cent of their aged pension in rent.

Mission Australia and Westpac tackle family homelessness together

Mission Australia and the Westpac Group yesterday have launched a long-term partnership aimed at addressing family homelessness over the next decade.

Families make up a quarter of all homeless people (105,000 homeless Australians on any one night) and up to 80 per cent of homeless families seeking crisis accommodation are turned away from government-funded homeless services.

The partnership was officially launched yesterday at the Mission Australia Centre in Sydney’s Surry Hills, with Mission Australia Chairman Ewen Crouch and CEO Toby Hall; Westpac’s Peter Hanlon, Group Executive, People and Transformation, and the Hon Tanya Plibersek, Federal Minister for Social Inclusion and Human Services in attendance.

They were joined by representatives from Housing NSW, MA Housing as well as Mission Australia and Westpac staff.

In the first stage of the partnership Westpac has agreed to provide $1 million over three years to Mission Australia for specific projects to address homelessness. Westpac and Mission Australia will also work together to launch a social innovation fund, targeting capital funds to be used to develop more affordable housing nationally.

Mr Hall, said the partnership was unique in Australia and displayed a shared commitment between the two organisations to tackling one of the nation’s major social problems.

He said addressing family homelessness required a three-pronged approach - prevention strategies to “turn off the tap” to homelessness; the provision of crisis accommodation services like the Mission Australia Centre to give longer-term support and offer breathing space, and the delivering of more affordable housing .

“Australia’s lack of affordable housing is one of the most significant factors influencing family homelessness,” Mr Hall said.

“Westpac’s support for this partnership will make a huge difference to our work and in the lives of countless homeless families – and those at risk of homelessness – now and in the years to come.”

At yesterday’s launch Mr Hanlon said Westpac was proud of its century-long association with Mission Australia and was committed to addressing homelessness, which is “not just about shelter – it’s also about self-esteem and inclusion”.

Above photo from left: Ewen Crouch, Mission Australia Chairman; The Hon Tanya Plibersek, Federal Minister for Social Inclusion and Human Services; Toby Hall, Mission Australia CEO; and Peter Hanlon, Group Executive, People and Transformation, Westpac.

Media Release: One-in-ten Queenslanders who rely on welfare agencies miss out on one square meal a day

Anti-Poverty Week – 17-23 October

Around one-in-ten people in Queensland who turn to welfare agencies for help lack a substantial meal at least once a day according to community service organisation Mission Australia.

As well as the most basic need for food, 43 per cent of welfare clients in Queensland can’t afford necessary dental treatment, 34 per cent can’t afford to pay their utility bills, 26 per cent have had to pawn or sell something to obtain money and 13 per cent have no access to a bulk-billing doctor. Thirty-three per cent of Queensland clients are unable to afford medicines prescribed by a doctor.

The state-based results are from a 2008 national research project led by Professor Peter Saunders from the Social Policy Research Centre at the University of New South Wales in partnership with Mission Australia and a range of community service organisations.

The research pays particular attention to households with children requiring welfare agency support, revealing 27 per cent are unable to provide hobby or leisure activities for their kids, 22 per cent are unable to afford school activities and 14 per cent are unable to provide separate beds for each child.

Mission Australia’s Queensland State Director, Tony Stevenson, said the results revealed the often desperate levels of poverty, deprivation and exclusion facing the individuals and families who rely on community service agencies for support.

“These aren’t encouraging figures. They show just how far we have to go as a society to truly arrive at a ‘fair Australia’,” said Mr Stevenson.

Mr Stevenson said he hoped the figures would re-energise the Federal Government’s social inclusion agenda which is aimed at achieving better outcomes for disadvantaged people.

“Now that we’re through the global financial crisis – and with a capable new Minister for Social Inclusion in Tanya Plibersek – the Federal Government has the opportunity to get on the front foot and pursue an agenda that makes real differences in the lives of people who are currently excluded from the essentials of life.

“The Gillard Government must apply itself to the issues which currently weigh so heavily on disadvantaged Australians – reducing homelessness, providing substantially more support to people with mental health issues, tackling rising youth unemployment, and providing ‘place-based’ support to people in the country’s most disadvantaged postcodes.

“Particularly at a time when Australia is patting itself on the back for avoiding the worst of the financial crisis and a possible return to the boom years, these figures are a wake-up call that poverty is still very real in this country.

“It will take targeted and deliberate action to change that. We hope that the political realities of a hung Parliament won’t get in the way – the people we help can’t afford for to wait for another three years,” said Mr Stevenson.

Media Release: One-in-seven in NSW who rely on welfare agencies miss out on one square meal a day

Anti-Poverty Week – 17-23 October

Around one in seven people in NSW who turn to welfare agencies for help lack a substantial meal at least once a day according to community service organisation Mission Australia.

As well as the most basic need for food, 49 per cent of welfare clients in NSW can’t afford necessary dental treatment, 44 per cent can’t afford to pay their utility bills, 29 per cent have had to pawn or sell something to obtain money and 20 per cent have no access to a bulk-billing doctor.

Thirty-five per cent of NSW clients are unable to afford medicines prescribed by a doctor.
The state-based results are from a 2008 national research project led by Professor Peter Saunders from the Social Policy Research Centre at the University of New South Wales in partnership with Mission Australia and a range of community service organisations.

The research pays particular attention to households with children requiring welfare agency support, revealing 26 per cent are unable to provide hobby or leisure activities for their kids, 20 per cent are unable to afford school activities and 14 per cent are unable to provide separate beds for each child.

Mission Australia’s NSW/ACT State Director, Leonie Green, said the results revealed the often desperate levels of poverty, deprivation and exclusion facing the individuals and families who rely on community service agencies for support.

“These aren’t encouraging figures. They show just how far we have to go as a society to truly arrive at a ‘fair Australia’,” said Ms Green.

Ms Green said she hoped the figures would re-energise the Federal Government’s social inclusion agenda which is aimed at achieving better outcomes for disadvantaged people.

“Now that we’re through the global financial crisis – and with a capable new Minister for Social Inclusion in Tanya Plibersek – the Federal Government has the opportunity to get on the front foot and pursue an agenda that makes real differences in the lives of people who are currently excluded from the essentials of life.

“The Gillard Government must apply itself to the issues which currently weigh so heavily on disadvantaged Australians – reducing homelessness, providing substantially more support to people with mental health issues, tackling rising youth unemployment, and providing ‘place-based’ support to people in the country’s most disadvantaged postcodes.

“Particularly at a time when Australia is patting itself on the back for avoiding the worst of the financial crisis and a possible return to the boom years, these figures are a wake-up call that poverty is still very real in this country.

“It will take targeted and deliberate action to change that. We hope that the political realities of a hung Parliament won’t get in the way – the people we help can’t afford for to wait for another three years,” said Ms Green.

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).

New report shows groundbreaking homeless service is a success

A report into a groundbreaking Sydney homeless service shows it has delivered improved accommodation, employment and goal-achievement outcomes, a reduction in the need for income support and all at a significantly lower cost per day than providing a bed in another institutional setting (eg: hospital or jail).

The Icon for Exit report - an analysis of the outcomes of the Mission Australia Centre (MAC) in Sydney's Surry Hills since it first opened in July 2005 - will be launched by Tanya Plibersek, Federal Minister for Housing, and Senator Mark Arbib, Federal Minister for Employment Participation at the centre (cnr Campbell and Denham Sts, Surry Hills) at 11.30am, Monday 2 November.

The first service of its kind built in Australia, the MAC moves beyond traditional crisis accommodation to meet the needs of a new generation of homeless people.

Rather than the short-term and 'one-size fits all' approach often associated with crisis shelters, the MAC specialises its care, encourages independent living, allows clients stays of up to three months and offers a range of services (eg: dental, GP, education, computer skills, counselling, employment) to help people back on their feet long-term.

According to the report - which covers the period 2005-08 - the MAC's results include:

• 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).

Mission Australia's CEO, Toby Hall, said the MAC's results provided governments and other agencies with a successful model for developing future homeless services.

"When we built the MAC in 2005 we based our plans on our own experiences, research among other agencies and what we saw working overseas - this service really was a first for this country," said Mr Hall.

"Now we have the results that show the MAC approach works. Yes, we still have much to do and there are challenges ahead, but the move towards more tailored and long-term support that encourages independent living is the way to get homeless people back on their feet.

"Importantly the MAC has developed into a community hub providing a large range of services - not only to its residents, but the entire inner city community.

"The MAC's success has only been possible through collaboration - between us, the three levels of government, our peer organisations, and the generous support of individual and corporate partners.

"The most exciting thing about these results is that they come at a time when both the Federal and NSW State Governments are considering their respective plans for tackling homelessness.

"We hope they both examine these findings and use the MAC's experiences to plan the next generation of homeless services," said Mr Hall.

The Federal Minister for Housing, Tanya Plibersek, said the MAC - which she has visited several times as it is located in her electorate of Sydney - was setting a high standard for future service delivery.

"The Rudd Government's White Paper on Homelessness identifies the need for early intervention, targeted support and wrap-around services to help break the cycle of homelessness," Ms Plibersek said. 

"These types of services are exactly what we need if we are going to meet our ambitious goal to halve homelessness by 2020."