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In the biggest change to the Haymarket’s homelessness crisis accommodation services in many years, most clients will be moved to temporary accommodation off-site until the end of June.
While our Chippendale premises will remain open – and eight of our most vulnerable clients will stay on-site – 15 others will be re-located to a nearby hotel.
The change is part of the State Government’s $34 million initiative to help prevent homelessness during the COVID-19 pandemic. Some of that money has been earmarked for crisis accommodation facilities to help improve social distancing, which is difficult in shared spaces.
The Haymarket’s case managers will continue to work daily and intensively with all clients – and will either visit people in the hotel or work with them using digital technology.
“We are excited to trial a housing-first approach for our clients,” says CEO of the Haymarket Foundation, Peter Valpiani.
“Overseas experience tells us that if we house people first and then provide the right sort of support, including case work for their health and social needs, that we can make a real difference to homelessness,” he says.
The Haymarket’s crisis accommodation services, Rapid Response and the Bourke Street Program are the frontline services which are still being operated largely face-to-face. The Foundation’s three other programs remain open, but are being operated digitally.