Homelessness
Media and commentary on our work protecting the rights of people experiencing or at risk of homelessness, and helping people avoid or exit homelessness.
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StreetCare and HPLS improve access to critical housing supports
Many people in critical need of a home will have easier access to NSW Government housing and Temporary Accommodation.
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StreetCare’s Anna Nagel wins NCOSS lived experience award
Anna won the Amir Bodenstein lived experience award, named in honour of a fellow StreetCare member.
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2SER: New domestic violence rental reforms need to be backed by action
The new reforms are welcome, but need Government support to be truly effective.
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City Hub: New Rental Protections Hope To Empower Victim-Survivors Of Domestic Violence
New laws could help protect victim survivors of domestic violence, if they are backed by action.
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Homelessness legal service says stronger new rental protections for DV victim-survivors must be backed by action
These reforms should mean for victim-survivors of domestic violence can leave dangerous situations without becoming homeless, if the changes are properly implemented.
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StreetCare influences public toilet inquiry report
A report into public toilets provision, design and safety reflects the suggestions of StreetCare members.
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Homeless Persons’ Legal Service welcomes passage of Bill strengthening DV victim-survivors protections in NSW Upper House
The Bill strengthens protections for victim-survivors of domestic violence, making it easier for them to leave dangerous situations.
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City Hub: When The Safety Net Snaps: How NSW’s Social Housing Is Failing People Who Need A Safe Home
This opinion piece from Policy Officer Alannah Daley explains why the NSW Government needs to support people in social housing better.
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JEC wins award for housing and mental ill-health lived experience committee
The Housing and Mental Health Agreement Lived Experience Committee has been recognised for its work at the The Mental Health Service Awards of Australia and New Zealand.
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Alternative First Responders: Housing not hyper-policing
People with lived experience of homelessness report excessive and unjust policing. Policy Officer Alannah Daly outlines why we need a different response.
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The Guardian: Pari just wants to get a good night’s sleep – but each morning he’s woken by NSW police, telling him to move on
Kira Levin, Principal Solicitor with our Homeless Persons’ Legal Service, spoke to the Guardian about the barriers people face to finding safe accommodation.
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StreetCare marks homelessness week with special performance
StreetCare members shared their stories through drama, music, puppet shows and photography at an event hosted by Belvoir St Theatre.
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2SER: Homelessness Week – Mental Health and Homelessness
The JEC’s Alannah Daly and lived experience advocate Robbie explained how lived experience expertise can help governments make better decisions.
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HPLS Solicitor Jeremy Rea wins Bondie Award
Solicitor Advocate Jeremy Rea won the award for outstanding service as a criminal defence lawyer.
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2SER: Why we all need good, safe public toilets
Rocky from StreetCare explained why accessing public toilets is important for women experiencing homelessness.
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LSJ: Public toilet inquiry highlights broader social issues
StreetCare member Roxanna Kalnins explained how a lack of adequate public toilets causes safety concerns for women experiencing homelessness.
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Reflecting on an opportunity to make a life-changing difference
Australian Government Solicitor secondee Madeleine Teo reflects on her time at the HPLS Women’s Service.
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2SER: Debt and Homelessness
Senior Solicitor Rachael Barwick explained how even a small debt can mean people are locked out of the social housing system.
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No Filter: Police shootings, mental health crises and the shattered families pushing for alternative first responders
StreetCare member Alex* spoke about his experiences of over-policing in his social housing community.
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Alan’s story: how lived experience can change the system
Alan explains the impact of joining a lived experience advisory group.
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The meaning of home: a StreetCare art project
StreetCare hosted a series of art workshops for people who have experienced homelessness.
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2SER: Reducing unfair fines and over-policing from alcohol-free zones
Kira Levin, Principal Solicitor of the Homeless Persons’ Legal Service, joined 2SER to discuss a City of Sydney proposal to reduce the number of alcohol-free zones across the city.
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Reducing unfair fines and over-policing from alcohol-free zones
HPLS and StreetCare have influenced a City of Sydney proposal to reduce the number of places where alcohol is prohibited.
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Remembering StreetCare member Amir
We commemorate the life of our friend and long standing StreetCare member Amir Bodenstein, who sadly died in late June.
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Experts at Mental Health forum agree: we must change our response to people in crisis
We brought together a panel of health and legal experts, mothers of people who have been killed by police and Rose Jackson, the NSW Minister for Mental Health.
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2SER: Why we need to count the deaths of people experiencing homelessness
StreetCare member Tony Pierce discusses the need to gather more data about the deaths of people who have been homeless.
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StreetCare advises on redevelopment to protect rough sleepers
Members of our lived experience advocacy group attended the redevelopment work at Macquarie Street.
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2SER: ending no-grounds evictions in NSW
With rental affordability at its highest point in 17 years, NSW tenants are facing a housing crisis. The continuation of no-grounds evictions exacerbates this issue. Across the state, landlords still have the power to end tenancies without a reason in certain circumstances, giving as little as 30 days’ notice. Renters in SA and ACT are already protected…
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Homelessness and access to justice
In the Law Society Journal, we explained how the legal issues faced by people experiencing homelessness often reflect the transient and sometimes chaotic nature of their lives.
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2SER: StreetCare – helping people out of homelessness
On any given night, more than 122,000 Australians don’t have a home. Around 40,000 of them are children 18 or younger. (ABS Census 2021) StreetCare is a group of advocates who have diverse experiences of being homeless. With the support of the PIAC, StreetCare advise politicians government departments, service delivery organisations and other decision makers on…