MEDIA RELEASE 5 May 2016 New data paints accurate picture of housing needs for homeless population in eastern suburbs In April 2016, a staggering 57† people were identified as sleeping rough in the Waverley local government area, with the average duration of homelessness being five years. Brain injury or head trauma, mental health concerns, substance abuse and violence are recurring issues experienced by this population. The first Waverley Registry Week was held between 12-14 April, with more than 40 volunteers and staff surveying the area between 4.30 am and 8.30 am each day. Of the 57 people identified, 41 completed an evidence-based street outreach survey which provided information on health, time spent in institutions, how long they had been homeless and their housing history. The survey was completed by 32 males and nine females. The average age of those sleeping rough was 44.6 years, with three individuals less than 24 years old. While Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people make up just 0.4 per cent of the Waverley local government area, they are over- represented in the local homeless population at 13 per cent. 22 per cent of people had a history of foster care or institutional care as a child. More than half (56 per cent) of those sleeping rough had been a victim of violence and 66 per cent identified mental health issues. Registry Week was coordinated by Eastern Sydney Partners in Recovery (ESPIR) and its partner organisations Anglicare, NSW Department of Family and Community Services, Missionbeat (Mission Australia), The Wayside Chapel (Norman Andrews House), Waverley Council and Wesley Mission. ESPIR Support Facilitator, Hannah Farrugia said, “No one chooses homelessness. The lack of affordable housing is an issue throughout all of Sydney, and especially in more affluent suburbs such as Bondi, Queens Park and Tamarama.” These results are supported by Anglicare’s Rental Snap Shot, released on 21 April 2016, which showed that less than one in five rental properties are affordable for working families earning the minimum wage. “Now that we have the data on exactly who is sleeping rough in the area, we can enhance service collaboration to implement strategies that better support these individuals. We are committed to a ‘Housing First Model’ which has good evidence in showing that once a person has a safe, permanent, affordable, place to call home, they are better able to address other areas of their life”, Ms Farrugia continued. Wesley Mission and Norman Andrews House will lead a smaller group who will work to find a permanent home and relevant supports for each person identified through Registry Week. The same methodology used during Registry Week will continue to be employed on an ongoing basis by street outreach workers as they engage with more people sleeping rough in the area. [ENDS] Media contact: Jen Aboki P 9020 7036 E [email protected] For more information visit www.espir.com.au Background information Eastern Sydney Partners in Recovery Eastern Sydney Partners in Recovery is an Australian Government initiative to better support people with severe and persistent mental illness with complex needs, and their carers and families. ESPIR aims to have services and supports from multiple sectors work in a more collaborative, coordinated and integrated way. Our teams are located in Randwick, Inner City and Botany Bay and are there to support people living across Eastern Sydney. EIS Health Ltd is the lead agency for ESPIR, working with 14 organisations who are committed in their support of the ESPIR program. Visit www.espir.com.au † This figure represents the number of people sighted during Waverley Registry Week, 12-14 April 2016, only. Areas surveyed included Bondi, Bondi Junction, Bronte, Dover Heights, Queens Park and Tamarama. For more information visit www.espir.com.au what does homelessness look like in Waverley LGA? Of the 41 people surveyed... Number of 78% 44.6 57* 22% average age people homeless as of April 2016 identify as Indigenous 13% compared to 0.4% in Waverley LGA MENTAL HEALTH AND PERSONAL SAFETY 66% have a mental health condition average length 56% have been attacked since becoming homeless 5 years have a history of foster care or of homelessness 22% institutional care as a child reported having experienced 63% abuse or trauma which contributed to their homelessness housing and support needs affordable 100% housing short term 56% estimated cost support ongoing 34% support $209,616 to the health system access only 10% between Oct 2015 - Apr 2016 1 [ % 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 ] *This figure represents the number of people sighted during Waverley Registry Week, 12-14 April 2016, only. Areas surveyed included Bondi, Bondi Junction, Bronte, Dover Heights, Queens Park and Tamarama..