Tesch calls for outreach resources for homelessness
Member for Gosford Ms Liesl Tesch has called on the NSW Government to urgently allocate outreach resources to help reduce the number of homeless people who are living on our streets.
"A tent community has been set up in Woy Woy, with those sleeping rough in need of acute services such as mental health care, drug and alcohol treatment and medical care, as well as a viable path to permanent housing," she said.
"I have been assisting vulnerable members of our community for many months and it is clear to me that we need more resources so that professional help can be directly delivered to people where they are living.
"Many of these vulnerable members of our community do not have any possessions, making it very difficult to start their journey to recovery and reintegration into society.
"If outreach resources were available, they would have a better chance of accessing the care and assistance that they need."
Ms Tesch said that she has met with local charity organisations, Family and Community Services and NSW Police to discuss this issue.
She commended the caring and hardworking people in those organisations who were focused on trying to solve this growing problem.
"I call on the Minister to allocate appropriate funding to ensure that the outreach services are available," Ms Tesch said.
Until more resources are allocated, Ms Tesch said she would continue to work with local organisations such as Coast Shelter, St Vincent de Paul, Catholic Care, Partners In Recovery and local Housing representatives to ensure that the best possible outcome for the local community were achieved.
"Local charity and government organisations are stretched to meet the needs of these vulnerable members of our community," Ms Tesch said.
SOURCE:
Media release, 24 Jul 2018
Emma Murphy, Office of Liesl Tesch MP