Community Connections (NSW South East)

Homelessness is a growing problem in south-eastern NSW, largely due to the impact of years of drought and a lack of housing in this part of the state.

Community Connections aims to address this problem. This program forms part of the NSW Homelessness Action Plan (HAP) – a plan that sets the direction for reforming the state’s homelessness service system in order to achieve better outcomes for people in need.

Operated by Mission Australia in the state’s south-east, the Community Connections program has been designed to support people who are homeless or at risk of being homeless, including Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders. It aims to assist:

• People in crisis and at imminent risk of homelessness.
• People who are experiencing domestic violence and are at risk of homelessness as a result.
• People who reside in South East NSW, (encompassing the local Government areas of Young, Upper Lachlan, Yass Valley, Goulburn, Mulwaree, Greater Queanbeyan City, Pelarang, Cooma-Monaro, Eurobodalla, Snowy River, Bombala, Bega Valley and Boorowa Harden).

The program integrates the homelessness and mainstream service system by providing interagency supports to clients and allocating funding based on client needs identified in an interagency case management plan.

Early intervention

Community Connections assists single adults, families or young people who are:

• Not currently in supported accommodation
• Who are at risk of homelessness.
• Who may be disengaged or at risk of disengaging from family, school, education, training or employment.

Social housing intensive support packages

Supports singles, families with accompanying children experiencing primary Homelessness and who are or may be:

• Repeat users of crisis accommodation services or At risk of homelessness or
• Experiencing complex issues including, but not limited to, alcohol and other drugs, mental health including self-harm, intellectual or cognitive disability and challenging behaviour.

If you or someone you know in the south-east of NSW is homeless or at risk of homelessness, please call (02) 4422 0455 or (02) 4824 4000. Alternatively you can email tahuj@missionaustralia.com.au