New outreach team set to tackle homelessness in Byron
More people sleeping rough in the Byron area will receive the support they need with the NSW Government setting up a $1.3 million Assertive Outreach team to help people experiencing homelessness in the North Coast community.
The recent 2024 Street Count data painted a clear picture of the scale of the homelessness crisis in the region, with a 16 per-cent increase is people sleeping rough in the Byron Shire area.
Homes NSW has partnered with local service providers Social Futures and Momentum Collective to form the new cross-agency team, delivering intensive case management and outreach patrols to drive down homelessness.
The approach is based on the successful Tweed Assertive Outreach model, which employs staff with expertise in complex case management. The group started the first of its regular Assertive Outreach patrols in the Byron area in March 2024.
Linking people sleeping rough with accommodation and health services is a critical aspect of the Assertive Outreach model. The new team will be trialled for one year and is fully funded by the NSW Government.
The establishment of this new service is in addition to the Government’s $11 million investment in 2023-24 for homelessness services in Northern NSW, which covers the LGAs of Ballina, Byron Shire, Clarence Valley, Kyogle, Lismore, Richmond Valley and Tweed.
Minister for Homelessness Rose Jackson said:
“Homelessness should never become a repetitive cycle which is why we’ve set up this new team to help more people experiencing homelessness in the region to get back on their feet, connected with appropriate services and accommodation.
“It is heartbreaking that in the latest street count data 348 people were counted sleeping rough in Byron Shire LGA, accounting for the largest number in the state. We know we need to do more to start turning that number around and getting people into homes.
“We will continue to invest and build on programs that are proven to help drive down the numbers of homelessness. The expansion of the Assertive Outreach team is a strong step in the right direction as we continue to build on strengthening crucial homelessness services in the region.”
Social Futures CEO Tony Davies said:
“We welcome the extension of the Assertive Outreach Program to Byron. By tailoring personalised plans to meet unique needs, we support access to healthcare, assist with NDIS applications, and connect to vital support services.
“Social Futures has been an integral part of the Tweed Assertive Outreach pilot since 2019, providing intensive case management and support to participants. We are delighted to be part of the team bringing this award-winning program to Byron Shire.”
Momentum Collective CEO Tracey Mackie said:
“Momentum Collective have worked with the Assertive Outreach pilot in Tweed Heads since inception in 2019, seeing a significant reduction of rough sleeping amongst clients we engaged with. One of the biggest outcomes of this model is that it demonstrates a sustaining tenancy rate of over 90% with people who have been rough sleeping through engagement with the program.
“With Byron Bay LGA having the highest number of rough sleepers in NSW following the 2023 Street Count, funding for this collaborative approach in the region will enable Momentum Collective and collaborative partners to build on the success of Assertive Outreach Tweed Heads and provide similar measurable decreases among the rough sleepers of Byron Bay.
“We are thrilled with the opportunity and appreciate the investment in this area from the NSW Government.”
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