EoFY Donations
Just a reminder that personal donations over $2 to the FCF Public Fund are tax deductible.
Westpac Account
BSB 035621
Public Fund 204145
Fleurieu Community Foundation Public Fund ABN 23 220 972 653
In a unique partnership the Public Fund supports the Homelessness Early Intervention Program.
On the Fleurieu we have seen a flood of demand push up rental prices and reduce the available rental housing stock. This has crushed the hopes of individuals and families who live under financial stress. On top of the current housing stress due to supply and cost we now also find that the general cost of living, petrol, groceries, health are all escalating at a rate greater than either income or social security support can match.
While the Fleurieu is a prosperous region, many individuals and families living in the region continue to be trapped in a cycle of homelessness, often jumping between unstable accommodation including motel or caravan park emergency short term accommodation to rough sleeping or couch surfing. This can continue for many years resulting in a state of chronic homelessness.
Despite the common misconception to the contrary, the scale of homelessness on the Fleurieu can be effectively addressed with long term sustainable strategies.
In 2019 the members of the Southern Fleurieu Housing Round Table agreed that an Early Intervention Officer was needed in the area. This person would be employed to support people who were at risk of homelessness and assist them with strategies to maintain their current housing and not become a new “homelessness statistic”.
The State Government were at the table when the discussion was formed into an action but Government, although supportive of the idea, were unwilling to provide any funds. This is when the Fleurieu Community Foundation stepped in and said “If Government can’t, then we can”.
In a unique partnership the Fleurieu Community Foundation partnered with the Wyatt Trust to jointly fund the employment of a Homelessness Early Intervention Officer on the Fleurieu for a 2 year trial. Junction Australia would be the employer but the funds for employment of the worker would come from these partners.
Jodie Price won the Junction position and commenced work in February 2020. Little would we know at that stage what a storm she would be walking into.
The Covid pandemic hit Australia hard and hit regional Australia even harder. The Fleurieu Peninsula remained relatively safe and unscathed early in 2020 but the loss of employment or loss of hours hit some families hard. Fortuitously our area had existing support services in place but we also had a new support worker who was specifically tasked with preventing people from entering into the homelessness cycle.
In just two years the program has exceeded expectations with positive outcomes for people at risk of homelessness.
· 23 People (including 10 children) were nominated and successful in obtaining Community Housing properties since the start of the Program
· 2 People including children were nominated and successful in obtaining a Cottage flat through SAHA.
· 96 People including children supported into a new private rental.
· 80 People including children supported to sustain current rental.