CENTACARE shares a common belief that all people are “equal and deserving of loving care.” They also believe that for people, care is a calling.
This is obvious in their diverse support services that covers areas such as aged care, community and pastoral care, disability care, early education, families and relationships. The need and support for people in Hervey Bay deserves recognition in their assistance for the homeless with crisis accommodation.
Centacare provides approximately ten housing accommodation facilities across Hervey Bay that they are providing urgent short term accommodation for up to 50 people a night.
Jodie, Service Delivery Manager Housing for Centacare, says this service provides urgent help from full families to single mothers. “There is no wrong door when people approach us”.
They have experienced an increasing level of people aged over 50 in recent times. “Everywhere is experiencing a higher proportion over people over 50 as the Hervey Bay rental market is proving tougher conditions for this traditional large population group,” says Jodie.
While crisis accommodation is a short term solution for some, her team are very conscious about educating and better equipping people with skills needed such as the process of housing applications.
“There is a lot of confusion for people, particularly the over 50s market, in applying for rentals when it comes to online applications and connecting with the private rental market”, says Brogan, Community Housing Officer for Centacare.
“We will try and teach the skills and take people through tenancy courses to help them with many issues including guidance for resolving tenancy issues and digital literacy”, says Brogan.
Ali, also a Community Housing Officer, tells stories of real positive outcomes in recent months that has improved families lives. “We can change lives in the most difficult times”.
This included a mother of five daughters ‘Cheree’ needing emergency accommodation after moving from Victoria leaving a dangerous living situation. She arrived in Hervey Bay with her daughters with very little belongings.
“I was moving from hotel to hotel and was at the point of sleeping in the car,” said Cheree. “I feel like I’m back to my old self again now, back to where I can be a good mum for my kids.”.
Once Cheree was safely established in crisis accommodation, Centacare connected her with childcare for her two youngest daughters. This gave her the opportunity to find part-time employment and establish the financial independence she needed to secure permanent housing.
Jodie said the team supported more than 170 people last financial year.
“Tackling homelessness goes beyond providing housing,” said Jodie. “It’s important to support people from falling into homelessness in the first place. When we do find the housing, we make sure it comes with the support that people need to sustain it.”
