Media coverage - Western Advocate: Getting homeless men off the winter streets

There are 30 fewer people sleeping rough in Bathurst tonight, thanks to a new program being run by Mission Australia.

The Central West Homelessness Action Plan (HAP) targets single adult men who are homeless – or at risk of being homeless – in Bathurst and Orange.

“The program was implemented in response to the significant number of single men presenting to services who were in need of support,” Mission Australia’s service manager for the Central West Luke Butcher said.

“It targets single men over the age of 18 who are either homeless and sleeping rough, or people who are in need of support to maintain accommodation.”

Team leader Darren Hunter said the plan had already assisted 30 people.

“We have put a roof over these people’s heads and, in addition, we have found long-term accommodation for seven men in Bathurst and Orange,” he said.

Among those who have been assisted is a man who has been sleeping in Machattie Park for five years.

“We have also helped a number of people who have been sleeping in their cars, one for five years,” Mr Hunter said.

“There are people sleeping out throughout Bathurst, not just in the CBD, and there are also people couch surfing each night.”

Mr Hunter said homelessness is a significant problem in Bathurst.

“If you walk through Hyde Park in Sydney you expect to see homeless people on the park benches, dressed in tattered clothing, and with three stripey bags or a shopping trolley.

“When you come to the Central West, just because you don’t have the visual reminder doesn’t mean the problem doesn’t exist.

“The number of homeless is yet to be clarified, but we are maintaining a database now that should give us reliable figures in six to 12 months.

“The leading causes of homelessness are financial management, debt, domestic violence, mental health issues, drug and alcohol problems, and a tight rental market.

“There is a growing number of people from Sydney looking for accommodation in this area and first home buyers moving into the market are reducing the number of houses available.

“We have also had a number of victims of domestic violence seek assistance.
“Traditionally, men are usually seen as the perpetrators of domestic violence, but this isn’t always the case.”

The HAP program aims to break the cycle of homelessness.

“The program breaks new ground in providing a range of support services as well as brokerage money to fund such things as medical appointments,” Mr Butcher said.

People can self access the service by calling in to 161 Rankin Street, or phoning (02) 6331 5603.

Above photo: Pictured at the Mission Australia office opening are Darren Hunter, Carol McManus and Luke Butcher. Courtesy of The Western Advocate.

This article was originally posted in The Western Advocate

Community barbecues offer insight into long-grasser life

Two supported accommodation facilities for homeless people in Darwin’s north are today hosting community barbecues as part of National Homeless Persons’ Week.

Operated by Mission Australia, the facilities at Rapid Creek and Wanguri provide much-needed accommodation for single men like Doug. According to the 2006 Census, the NT’s rate of homelessness is four times the national average

Having slept without a roof over his head for almost 20 years, Doug now appreciates a bed, daily shower and being able to have “a decent feed” - something most Australians take for granted.

The 67-year-old has been a ‘long grasser’ in Darwin’s suburbs for the most part of 20 years. In that time he’s lost contact with his family and on several occasions ended up in the critical unit at the hospital.

Doug ended up sleeping rough with his only possessions in the trailer of his bike due to a spiral of unfortunate events. Born in Scotland, he moved to Australia with his parents in the 1940s and spent his early years on Kangaroo Island, SA.

He has worked as a shearer, stockman and a tradesman in welding and engineering. Arthritis and a heart attack, however, forced him to leave the workforce and go on a disability pension.

“Unaffordable rent has put me where I am today,” Doug said. “There is no way a person living alone on a pension can afford to rent.

“I reckon I have slept on every park bench from Rapid Creek to Mindil. I have slept for more than 10 years on concrete, have built humpies in the bush and found buildings where I felt safe and dry. But up here it is the wet that is the killer.”

Doug needs to take a cocktail of medication for his heart disease and arthritis.

“I rattle when I walk, but when you are sleeping out you can’t manage your drugs properly; you don’t have a fridge or can keep track of things. I just ended up chucking them away, which makes matters worse.”

Four weeks ago Doug was invited to join the Mission Australia single men’s supported accommodation program. He now shares a house in Rapid Creek with a mixed bunch of men, of varying ages, education levels and circumstances.

“We have a good crew here, everyone pulls his own weight. We support each other and this house gives us a chance to get our lives sorted out,” he said. “Some people don’t want to leave the long grass, but for those who do there are few options.”

It’s one of two supported accommodation facilities Mission Australia operates in Darwin’s north – and both are funded by the Australian and Northern Territory governments under the National Partnership Agreement on Homelessness.

The program assists single men to re-establish themselves in the community and make the transition to longer-term accommodation. They are given assistance with living skills, employment and a range of community services.

For Doug, this has meant getting his papers in order so he can get some identification, sorting out his medical condition and getting glasses so he can read. He has also re-established contact with a sister he hasn’t seen in 40 years and is now helping other long grassers by cooking them meals and making sure they’re okay.

Mission Australia’s Housing Support Initiatives Manager, Ian Murdoch JP said that National Homeless Persons’ Week highlighted the challenges that people like Doug have had to deal with.

“While the accommodation we provide is essential, it’s the work we do to help people get back on their feet as independent members of the community that’s really crucial,” he said.

“We will be holding barbecues at our single men’s supported accommodation houses and would love to have the local community visit and learn about our support programs.”

Help Missionbeat reach out to rough sleepers

This National Homeless Persons’ Week, Mission Australia is launching an appeal to keep our iconic Missionbeat vans on the streets of Sydney.

Patrolling the city’s streets, alleyways and parks in vans and on bikes, Missionbeat outreach staff provide first aid, hand out blankets and swags, and offer support – and a friendly face - to find rough sleepers. They also help to organise a bed for the night and link homeless people with other support services.

With the public’s help, we aim to raise over $100,000 to keep the vital Missionbeat service on the streets this year and support more people like Hayley*.

Hayley turned to drugs as a way of coping when her parents' marriage was falling apart.

The 18-year-old became addicted to drugs and started experiencing severe mood swings. Fearing for the safety of their two younger children, Hayley’s parents kicked her out of home.

Missionbeat met Hayley earlier this year. We keep a look out for Hayley when patrolling the inner city to see if we can help her find a bed for the night. We are encouraging her to seek help to combat her drug addiction and rebuild the relationship with her family.

"Missionbeat is someone to talk to when there’s no one else," Hayley says.

To help Missionbeat reach out to more people like Hayley, please support our Missionbeat Appeal – so we can keep the vans on the street, and homeless people off them

*Name and image have been changed to protect the identity of the people we help.

Media coverage - The Southern Courier: Locals living rough

Homelessness is a serious issue in the Sydney suburb of Randwick, according to Labor councillor Tony Bowen, who will seek support for a public awareness campaign at a council meeting on 26 July.

Mr Bowen said he was alerted to the issue last year when a report tabled with the council’s social inclusion plan revealed Randwick City had the second-highest number of homeless people in the Sydney metropolitan region.

“Growing up in the area over the years I have seen an increase in homeless people and not just in the town centres but city-wide,” Cr Bowen said.

“I think a sign of our civilised society is how you treat your most vulnerable people, so anything we can do to help we should do it.”

Cr Bowen said the issue had been made worse by the closure of a number of boarding houses and rising property prices.

He said he would call on his fellow councillors’ support at the meeting next Tuesday to raise awareness of the plight of homeless people in Randwick and to inform people about ways they can help.

Mission Australia’s homeless outreach service, Missionbeat, patrols inner Sydney streets. Call them on 1800 306 461.

Readers were also invited to comment about the need to curb homelessness in Randwick on the Southern Courier website.

To comment visit this story at The Southern Courier

Thank you - blanket drive for Missionbeat

Last Thursday our Missionbeat service manager, Dan Petsalis, put out a desperate plea for blankets via his Twitter network.

Within only a few hours Dan’s plea was re-Tweeted by organisations and individuals – reaching thousands of supporters and reported by channel 10 and channel 7 in Sydney reaching thousands more.

Our Missionbeat service has received hundreds blankets with hundreds more en-route to Missionbeat headquarters.

I want to express our deepest thanks to all the people who have collected blankets from their friends, their communities and their colleagues – from large organisations and small. Your contributions make an active and tangible difference to a human life.

These blankets will be distributed to the rough sleepers in the Sydney area whilst the Missionbeat vans are on patrol. We will also respond to the calls for assistance and calls for blankets directly from those clients that will be sleeping on the street, where accommodation wasn’t secured, and we follow-up again the next day.

In the Sydney city area there are about 400 people sleeping rough on any given night. Blankets don't last a person all winter due to issues around keeping them secure, clean and dry.

Cheers and God bless,

Toby Hall
CEO of Mission Australia

To donate a blanket, please contact Missionbeat directly on 1800 306 461 or drop off your blanket directly to the Missionbeat office located at Unit 1/1 Brompton Street, Marrickville NSW 2204.

Dan Petsalis thanked the public today in a short film. Use the player below to view or visit Mission Australia's Youtube channel.

Missionbeat nurse wins Nurse of the Year Award

Paul Esplin, a nurse who plays a vital role in our Missionbeat team, was honoured last Thursday at the Hesta Australian Nursing Awards.

Paul, who joined the team in 2008, won the Nurse of the Year Award at a gala dinner in Melbourne.

The Hesta Nursing Awards, now in their fifth year, acknowledge outstanding nurses, midwives, personal care attendants and assistants in nursing. As a finalist, Paul was judged on his exceptional contribution to improving care and outcomes for patients.

Paul is co-employed by St Vincent's Hospital and Mission Australia to provide frontline medical care for the many men and women who sleep rough in the city's streets.

He works alongside Missionbeat's Community Service Workers to help meet the medical, social, mental health and housing needs of homeless people - some who have been living on the streets for decades.

For Missionbeat Manager Daniel Petsalis, having Paul on the team has provided the perfect opportunity to engage with the city's rough sleepers.

"Paul has had a huge affect on the health and wellbeing of Sydney's rough sleepers," Daniel said. "The fact that he can address their health needs on the spot - whether it's by dressing a wound or organising a vitamin B or flu shot - has made such a difference."

Congratulations Paul on this fantastic award!

Above photo (L to R): Paul Esplin and Daniel Petsalis

10.10.10 Sleepout a success

Left to Right:
 T.Hall, D.Petsalis, K.Hussey, M.Arbib

More than 250 Sydneysiders joined Mission Australia CEO Toby Hall and the Federal Minister for Social Housing and Homelessness, Senator the Hon Mark Arbib, at Centennial Park on Sunday for the 10.10.10 Sleepout.

Rugged up to brave the cool night, Mission Australia supporters raised over $65,000 for services providing crisis care, transitional or medium-term accommodation for young Australians in need.

Everybody slept out to mark World Homelessness Day and support young people close to or experiencing homelessness and the services that work tirelessly to help them.

Senator Arbib went one step further than most and “slept rough” outside in the elements as many young people do every night.

"It's incredibly hard to imagine being a young person without a place to call home – a place that most people find to be a strong source of comfort and stability,” he said.

Joining Minister Arbib and Toby Hall was HRX Chairman Katrina Leslie and Missionbeat Manager Daniel Petsalis.

“On any given night in Australia, almost 105,000 men, women and children are homeless with a staggering 43 per cent aged under 25 years,” said Mr Hall.

Missionbeat Manager Daniel Petsalis was thrilled with the support: "It was a fantastic event for raising awareness of the issue - since Sunday I’ve been swamped with calls from participants who want to learn more about supporting youth homelessness services through volunteering or donations."

Mission Australia is very grateful for the generous support of event partner HRX and a host of local contributors who covered all catering and costs for the event.

For further information please visit www.hrx.com.au/101010sleepout  

Minister for Homelessness to sleep rough for a night

10.10.10 Sleepout on World Homelessness Day – Sunday 10 October 2010

Australian Government Minister for Social Housing and Homelessness, Senator The Hon Mark Arbib, will join hundreds of other brave souls by taking part in a mass sleep-out in Centennial Park this weekend to raise awareness and funds for Mission Australia’s youth homeless services.

The 10.10.10 Sleepout starts at 5pm on Saturday 9 October and finishes at 9am on Sunday 10 October and involves participants bedding down underneath the stars in Centennial Park.

The 10.10.10 Sleepout is an initiative of the Sydney-based company HRX, through its HRX Giving program http://www.hrx.com.au/.

Minister Arbib said the sleepout was a fantastic opportunity for the community to show their support for young people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

"It's incredibly hard to imagine being a young person without a place to call home – a place that most people find to be a strong source of comfort and stability,” Senator Arbib said.

“I encourage all to throw their support behind this event, whether it be by donating funds, busking to attract donations or sleeping out in the beautiful Centennial Park.

"I also applaud the fantastic work that Mission Australia does to support disadvantaged young people – they are passionate people making a difference to young peoples' lives."

Joining Minister Arbib will be Mission Australia’s CEO Toby Hall and HRX Chairman Katrina Leslie.

“On any given night in Australia, almost 105,000 men, women and children are homeless with a staggering 43 per cent aged under 25 years,” says Mission Australia’s CEO, Toby Hall.

“Youth homelessness is becoming increasingly evident in Sydney. The 10.10.10 Sleepout will make a valuable contribution to helping us meet that need. We sincerely appreciate the support of the Minister at this event and we encourage Sydneysiders to also get behind it.”

HRX Chairman Katrina Leslie says, “Given the magnitude of youth homelessness, we decided to direct our 2010 HRX Giving program towards raising funds for Mission Australia’s youth homeless services – and we thought we’d invite the rest of Sydney to join us.”

Registered sleep-out participants raise funds by organising sponsorship from family and friends. Participants are allowed to bring a tent or sleep under the stars – whichever they prefer.

All money raised will go to Mission Australia’s services providing crisis care, transitional or medium-term accommodation and essential support for young Australians in need.

For further information and to register please visit: www.hrx.com.au/101010sleepout

For interviews with Senator Arbib contact: Sean Sammon on 0417 137 419

For media inquiries re the 10.10.10 Sleepout contact: Paul Andrews 0409 665 495

Back by popular demand - Mission Australia's Winter Sleepout

Mission Australia Winter Sleepout 2010:  2-8 August

Australians have been supporting the Mission Australia Winter Sleepout for over 20 years.

Ever since our first Winter Sleepout in 1988, thousands of people across the nation have shown support for homeless Australians by giving up their own warm beds in the height of winter to raise funds for homeless services.

The Winter Sleepout has proven to be an easy, interactive and fun way to raise awareness and much needed funds to support Mission Australia’s homeless services.

While there will be no ‘public event’ this year, we are encouraging Australians to get a group together and organise their own individual sleepout and be rewarded with sponsorship from family and friends.


While we are encouraging sleepouts to take place during National Homeless Persons Week, August 2nd - 8th, participants may choose to sleepout at any time during winter.

Why not get a group of co-workers, family and friends together and sleep-out in your office or back yard?

There are 105,000* homeless Australians who could do with your support, so call (07) 3394 8136 or email PerovicP@missionaustralia.com.au to order your ‘Winter Sleepout Toolkit’ or check out our website at www.wintersleepout.com.au and start organising your own sleepout today!

*ABS 2008. Counting the Homeless, 2006. Australian Census Analytic Program. 

Inner City Housing Project making long-term progress with Sydney's roughsleepers

The Daily Telegraph newspaper today has a story on a Mission Australia initiative that is delivering significant results in the lives of mentally ill homeless people and for the broader community.

The Inner City Housing Program (ICHP) is response to the challenges faced by mentally ill people who sleep rough in Sydney’s inner city.

An estimated 80% of roughsleepers have serious mental health problems – schizophrenia, bi-polar, depression, anxiety disorders and mental trauma.

In Sydney, a regular outcome for this client group is that, because they lack the intensive support they need for their condition, they’re often admitted to hospital for psychiatric care.

Hospital admission is an extremely costly option and offers only short term support – it isn’t long before they’re discharged back on the streets…and the cycle begins again.

It costs the government around $900 per night to provide a person with mental illness hospital care. In fact, there are estimates it has cost NSW Health up to $60,000 a year to provide emergency medical care to a homeless person with mental illness in the past.

The Inner City Housing Program (ICHP) – which Mission Australia runs in partnership with St Vincent's Hospital and Churches Community Housing – has had terrific results at turning people's lives around while saving the state's health budget huge amounts of money.

The ICHP provides long-term (usually 18-24 months) supported accommodation in six inner city terraces where counsellors work with residents to stay healthy and develop living skills (eg: grocery shopping, food preparation) which are essential to maintaining permanent accommodation. The idea is that after stabilising their lives at ICHP Mission Australia can then move them forward into independent living.

Only 4 per cent of people arrive at ICHP from stable housing. After clients spend an average of 18 months with the program, we have been successful in moving more than 70 per cent into independent accommodation.

Even better, the ICHP delivers huge savings. Compared to the $900 per night to provide someone with psychiatric care in hospital it costs ICHP around $35 per night to give someone a bed and provide the support they need.

And in terms of managing people’s mental health needs, ICHP's results speak for themselves...

Brian* (not real name) entered ICHP in May 2008. Prior to ICHP he had spent 133 days in hospital with mental illness. Since coming to ICHP he’s not been admitted once.

Sarah* (not real name) entered ICHP in October 2008. Prior to arriving she had spent 70 days in hospital. Again, since coming to ICHP, Sarah’s not been admitted to hospital a single day.

But ICHP can only help around 20 residents at a time. Mission Australia would love to assist more – we know the demand is out there – but we just don’t have the resources.

By any measure ICHP is a more successful and significantly cheaper method of providing long-term assistance to roughsleepers with mental health issues than the alternative.

Mission Australia encourages the NSW Government to consider directing some of the money they invest in emergency mental health care for this client group into ICHP - and services like it - and expand their capacity.

It would result in better outcomes for the individuals, the community and the state’s health budget.

It’s just common sense.

*Names have been changed to protect client's identity

What is your 'New Year's resolution'?

The 2010 New Year Appeal asks the public to think about their New Year’s resolutions. The appeal challenges people to consider adding a worthwhile cause to their list, such as 'helping a homeless person to transform their life in 2010'.

With over 100,000 Australians without a place to call home tonight, the scale of the homelessness problem remains high despite the efforts of government and not-for-profits like Mission Australia.

Daniel Petsalis, manager of Sydney's Missionbeat service, noted recently that the number of homeless people sleeping rough in Sydney is on the rise: "The City of Sydney’s most recent count found numbers had increased by almost 13 per cent between 2008 and 2009 – from 354 to 399," said Daniel.

If you are interested in helping a homeless person this year, donations to the New Year Appeal will help support Mission Australia services like Missionbeat or Mission Australia Centre.

You can help by making a one-off donation, or choosing to donate through our regular giving program.  Alternatively you might like to consider other ways you can contribute - click here to learn more.

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Please email Emmanueld@missionaustralia.com.au for questions about the 2010 New Year Appeal

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Thanks to Sherpa for their support!

Each winter Sherpa Australia donates thermal jackets to Mission Australia's Missionbeat service - essential clothing for the Missionbeat team as they work through the colder months in Sydney.

Missionbeat patrols the inner streets of Sydney providing transport and care to people sleeping rough to help break the cycle of homelessness.

Steve from Sherpa joined Missionbeat manager Dan Petsalis on 'the beat' recently and was really impressed with the service.

Mission Australia thanks Sherpa for its ongoing support. With generous local suppliers Mission Australia is able to transform the lives of more people in need.

More information on Sherpa Australia can be found at their website - please click here.