The Hunter Homelessness Law and Advocacy Service (HHLAS) has helped a wide range of people since it began operating in the Hunter six (6) months ago.

The Mission Australia pilot service, established with funding from the Law & Justice Foundation of NSW and probono legal support from Sparke Helmore Lawyers, was set up to provide improved access to legal services for people who are economically and socially disadvantaged with a particular focus on people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

Since November 2006, the service has assisted almost 40 clients from regional clinic locations as geographically diverse as Raymond Terrace, Muswellbrook and Newcastle.

According to HHLAS Coordinator, Deborah Keyatta, the service is breaking new ground in helping those people who would have otherwise fallen through the service gaps.

“The clients we’re seeing are facing a variety of legal and welfare issues in parallel,” she explained. “HHLAS is perfectly placed to assist those clients by providing them with not only legal advice, support and referral but also the welfare information, referral and supports they require as well.”

HHLAS lawyer Michael Rosenfeld from Sparke Helmore, the firm’s Pro Bono & Community Programs Director, believes the pilot service has been an invaluable support for some of the most disadvantaged people in our region.

“It has been a privilege to work on this project with Mission Australia and see the difference we can make in the community by helping to address what are sometimes long-standing legal problems for HHLAS clients. Sometimes the assistance given was as simple as explaining the procedure to address the problem or helping the client to write a letter. At other times, we were able to streamline their referral to Legal Aid or other community legal services like the Hunter Community Legal Centre and the University of Newcastle Legal Centre,” he said.

“This partnership with Mission Australia highlights what can be achieved when both the corporate world, not-for-profit sector and the broader community work collaboratively to assist those who are disadvantaged and marginalised,” he said.

For further information please contact Carol Skafte-Zauss at Mission Australia on 4961-5410 or 0417 235 583.