Homelessness is a complex and sensitive issue that is growing across Australia, including across Shellharbour. Homelessness can affect anyone however we know there are a number of key factors that increase the risk for someone to experience homelessness – these include:
- Experiencing poverty or financial hardship
- Lank of affordable, accessible, secure housing
- Personal circumstances including mental health issues, substance abuse, family and domestic violence, relationship breakdown, trauma and violence, or sudden life changes
- Systemic factors such as lack of social safety nets and systematic discrimination.
Responses to homelessness are equally complex and sensitive and typically require a multi-stakeholder approach.
Key Support Services
The good news is that if you or someone you know is at risk of homelessness or experiencing homelessness, there are a number of wonderful services and organisations available to help. Following is a list of some of those services – if you need further information or support accessing services, you can contact Council on (02) 4221 6111 and ask to speak to someone in Council’s Community Development Team.
NSW Protocol for Homeless People in Public Places
NSW Protocol for Homeless People in Public Places
In 2013, Shellharbour City Council adopted the NSW Protocol for Homeless People in Public Places (the Protocol). The Protocol aims to provide guidance and assistance to government, non-government organisations, and private businesses to interact and engage with people experiencing homelessness, so they are treated with respect and dignity and do not face discrimination. The Protocol also encourages government and non-government organisations to provide a response or deliver support to people experiencing homelessness if they need or request it.
The Protocol advocates that: ‘People experiencing homelessness have the same rights as any member of the public to be in public places, participate in public activities or events, carry with them and manage their belongings, and request or decline support or assistance’.
NSW Protocol for Homeless People in Public Places Implementation Guidelines
In 2024, the NSW Government released the Protocol for Homeless People in Public Places Implementation Guidelines (the Guidelines). The Guidelines provide further assistance to government, non-government organisations, and private businesses and are a tool to assist workers to use the Protocol effectively. The Guidelines’ Appendices assist workers to develop empathy and understanding of circumstances that can impact people experiencing homelessness. They provide best practice for supporting people with diverse needs and provide links to key resources state wide.
Crisis Numbers and Helplines
Link2Home Homelessness
Link2home is a NSW state wide homelessness information and referral telephone service available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year. They can provide referral to homelessness support and accommodation services every day from 9am to 10pm.
Ph: 1800 152 152.
Link2Home Veterans and Ex-service
Link2Home have a dedicated phone line for veterans and ex-service personnel experiencing homelessness.
Ph: 1800 326 989
NSW Domestic Violence Line
The NSW Domestic Violence Line is a 24/7 service providing counselling and referrals to women experiencing domestic violence. This can include assistance to find emergency accommodation for women and their children fleeing domestic violence.
Ph: 1800 65 64 63
Child Protection Helpline
The NSW Child Protection Helpline is a 24/7 telephone service that assists with child safety and protection matters. They can provide critical supports, including referral to accommodation, for children and young people experiencing homelessness.
Ph: 13 21 11
Ask Izzy
Ask Izzy is a free online search tool to help find shelter, food, health, and other essential support services.
Local Support Services
Wollongong Homeless Hub and Housing Services
Wollongong Homeless Hub and Housing Services works with families and individuals who are homeless or at risk of homelessness to either sustain their existing accommodation or attain and keep new tenancies through a combination of intervention, case management, referral, advocacy and information. This can include mobile and assertive outreach (to reach people where they at), temporary/crisis accommodation and transitional accommodation.
Ph: (02) 4228 0955
St Vincent de Paul Society (Vinnies)
Vinnies operate homelessness services throughout NSW to assist people at risk of or experiencing homelessness. They provide support to families and individuals with services including immediate crisis intervention and support, crisis accommodation, assertive outreach to rough sleepers, transitional accommodation, as well as support to maintain a tenancy, living skills or community connections.
Ph: 13 18 12 (option 5)
Southern Youth and Family Services (SYFS)
Southern Youth and Family Services (SYFS) is an organisation that has the main purpose of supporting and caring for children, young people, adults and families who are disadvantaged, including those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and their families. This includes providing supported accommodation, community social housing, counselling, mediation, support programs.
Ph: (02) 4221 7700
Supported Accommodation and Homelessness Services Shoalhaven Illawarra (SAHSSI)
Supported Accommodation and Homelessness Services Shoalhaven Illawarra (SAHSSI) is a Specialist Homelessness Service provider supporting vulnerable women and families in the Illawarra and Shoalhaven regions. Working primarily with women, with or without children, affected by homelessness or domestic and family violence, they provide crisis accommodation, transitional housing, case management and case coordination.
Ph: (02) 4229 8523
Illawarra Aboriginal Corporation (IAC)
The Illawarra Aboriginal Corporation (IAC) provides Housing and Homelessness programs to assist Aboriginal people with access to stable housing, as well as supporting those who are at risk of homelessness. They are a nationally registered Community Housing Provider and a Specialist Homelessness Service with the aim to reduce homelessness amongst Aboriginal people through the provision of culturally appropriate supports. They can offer case management, advocacy and referrals to access and sustain stable housing.
Ph: (02) 4211 0601
Low Cost and Free Meals Directory
The Low Cost and Free Meals Directory provides information on the local services who deliver low cost and free food programs such as breakfast programs, community kitchens and free meals, and emergency food relief.