Fletcher Street Cottage Forced to Cut Vital Homeless Services
Louise O’Connell, General Manager - Byron Community Centre
By Kate Love
Fletcher Street Cottage, Byron's only homeless services hub, is regrettably faced with the necessity of reducing its services from five days to four days a week, operating from Tuesday through Friday. This decision is due to the lack of government funding causing a significant funding shortfall, jeopardising the crucial support provided to our community's most vulnerable.
Shocking statistics* reveal that Byron Shire has the largest cohort of rough sleepers in NSW, higher than the City of Sydney. Since its establishment in April 2022, Fletcher Street Cottage has been a beacon of hope for the Byron Shire community, with over 13,000 visits by locals seeking help.
Housing Crisis
The rapid increase in demand for homeless services underscores the critical role this facility plays in addressing the housing crisis, rising cost of living and rental stress experienced by many in the region.
Byron Community Centre General Manager Louise O'Connell emphasised the importance of addressing these issues, stating:
"The Byron Shire is grappling with a severe affordable housing crisis, which is exacerbated with each passing day. We urgently seek government support and sustainable funding to continue assisting the growing number of people in need."
Though the organisation successfully raised $375K through its Emergency Appeal, regular donors and support of the community, this funding falls $625K short of the required annual amount. This gap highlights the urgent need for ongoing support, ideally government funding to ensure the facility's sustainability and uninterrupted services for its community.
Louise expressed the organisation's commitment to its clients, explaining:
"It’s devastating for all of us at Fletcher Street Cottage to reduce days, but most of all for our service users. It is a lifeline for many people in our community who are doing it tough. There has never been a more critical time to provide support to individuals and families faced with housing insecurity."
reduced days
In response to the mounting challenges, Fletcher Street Cottage has announced that the reduced days will commence from October 23, 2023. The facility currently has no ongoing state or federal government funding, and relies solely on grants and the generosity of donors and partners to assist Byron’s homeless and disadvantaged community.
People not only rely on access to everyday needs like free breakfast and showers, but also for counselling, emergency relief, housing assistance, medical care and legal aid, through Community Support Workers and visiting specialist services such as Centrelink and Social Futures.
Louise stressed the urgency of the situation, adding:
"We are seeing people who have never come to Fletcher Street Cottage before. Families, young people and older women who have nowhere else to turn. We can’t do this alone."
The funding challenges at Fletcher Street Cottage highlight the need for immediate and sustained support from the government and the community to ensure the ongoing provision of essential services for those experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity in the Byron Shire.
To get involved or donate go to: www.giveheart.au.
*Department of Communities and Justice: 2023 NSW Street Count
Statistics
13,440 Visits by service users to Fletcher Street Cottage
15,207 Breakfasts
6,325 Showers & Laundry
751 Visiting Services
4,010 Support Appointments & Emergency Relief (ER)
5,000+ Volunteer Hours
Visiting Specialist Services
First Light Healthcare (GP), Hairdresser, Homelessness Health Outreach Team (HHOT - NSW Health), Lives Lived Well - Strong Community Program, My Momentum, Northern Rivers Community Legal Centre, NSW Community Corrections, Podiatrist, Public Space Liaison Officers (Byron Shire Council), Services Australia (Centrelink), Social Futures.
About Fletcher Street Cottage
Fletcher Street Cottage is a one-stop-shop, providing support and services for people at risk of homelessness, and those already sleeping rough. For more information please see www.fletcherstreetcottage.com.au.
The Byron Community Centre is an independent not-for-profit and charity that provides essential services including meals, advocacy and counselling, as well as arts and social programs for the benefit of the whole community. For more information please see www.byroncentre.com.au.