Councillor: City’s draft homelessness strategy a ‘missed opportunity’

COUNCILLOR Tony Judge has branded the draft City of Coffs Harbour Homelessness Strategy as a “missed opportunity” to collaborate with service providers and the State Government on “strong measures” to reduce homelessness.

“The draft strategy is an excellent piece of research that identifies the extent of homelessness in the Coffs Harbour Local Government Area,” Cr Judge said.

“[However], I believe Council missed a great opportunity to partner with community organisations and service providers in the development of the strategy.

“We have a very knowledgeable and experienced group of people providing services to homeless people here in Coffs, some with decades of experience.

“A more collaborative approach in the development of the Strategy could have drawn on that experience and built the sort of relationships that would allow Council to work seamlessly with providers to assist people who are homeless in our community.”

Cr Judge is also disappointed that the draft strategy does not include staff resources specifically allocated to address homelessness.

“Other Councils, such as Byron Shire, are funding ‘Public Spaces Liaison Officers’ to work with homeless people, identify their specific needs and liaise with service providers to find accommodation and support for them.

“That role has demonstrated that those Councils are genuinely committed to addressing homelessness.

“Their commitment has also encouraged the State Government to partner with them to provide further resources and support.

“The lack of funding in the [Coffs] draft strategy sends a message that Council thinks homelessness is someone else’s problem.”

In a statement on Tuesday, City of Coffs Harbour noted that while the State and Commonwealth remain the primary government agencies for homelessness, Council can be “part of a positive response to drive meaningful change”.

“Homelessness is a significant issue in Coffs Harbour and the strategy speaks to how the City might channel its efforts, particularly through advocating and collaborating with front-line response agencies,” Mayor Nikki Williams said.

“The Australian and NSW governments are best placed to develop solutions to homelessness.”

Initiatives outlined in the draft strategy include:

● Advocate to the Australian and NSW Government to legislate a consistent framework for Local Government in relation to its role and responsibility to prevent homelessness.

● Advocate to the NSW Government to improve system responses at transition points, so those exiting prison, hospitals, acute mental health units and existing out-of-home care and foster care do not fall into homelessness.

● Advocate to the NSW Government to fund and expand a well-resourced Assertive Outreach Team for the Specialist Homelessness Services Sector within the Coffs Harbour Local Government Area to address the growing numbers of people sleeping rough.

● Participate in local housing inter-agencies, such as the Coffs Coast Housing Partnership Group, the District Housing Implementation Group, as well as the NSW Government Housing and Health Agreement, supporting a ‘No Wrong Door’ approach for people experiencing homelessness.

● Undertake a research project to investigate the true cost of homelessness issues for the City and investigate how these funds could be redirected and better spent on homelessness prevention such as funding for a Public Space Liaison Officer position/s.

The Draft Homelessness Strategy can be viewed at https://haveyoursay.coffsharbour.nsw.gov.au/homelessstrategy2025 and submissions can be made through to Monday 8 September.