Located in Belconnen, the innovative housing and homelessness service hub will provide citizens who are homeless or worried about becoming homeless a central place for support services.

“All sorts of people find themselves homeless for all sorts of reasons and they need help with a range of problems” says Anthony Rochester, Executive Officer of First Point, the ACT’s central intake service for homelessness and one of the community partners co-located with Housing ACT in the CAP.

“That’s where the Central Access Point is so important as it helps connect people with a number of services that can assist them through difficult times”

CAP brings together a range of housing and support services from across the ACT and marks a dynamic shift in Housing ACT’s approach to working with people and with community partners. The service will provide an innovative, client-focused approach, where every person receives an individual, tailored service in a welcoming manner.

The launch with Minister Burch will commence at 11:30 AM from the ground floor of the Nature Conservation House (cnr Benjamin Way and Emu Bank). Interviews will be available.

First Point is operated by Connections ACT Inc and is jointly funded by the ACT and Commonwealth Governments under the National Partnership Agreement on Homelessness.

MEDIA CONTACT: ANTHONY ROCHESTER; 6123 4000;  eo@connectionsact.org.au

In Australia, there are three main categorisations of ‘homelessness’:

• Primary homelessness:
  also called ‘rough sleepers’. These are people who are living without a roof over their heads, sleeping in cars or public places.
• Secondary homelessness:
  are people who move between temporary short-term accommodation, such as ‘couch surfing’ – staying with friends or relatives.
• Tertiary homelessness:
  are those who may be living in overcrowded, unsafe or dilapidated accommodation.

People become homeless, or may be at risk of becoming homeless, for many complex reasons. Financial hardship, illness, unaffordable housing, the need to escape domestic violence, poor living conditions, or the breakdown of a relationship are just some of the ways a person can find themselves without anywhere to live. Some people may prefer to live ‘rough’. For others it’s not a choice.

Homelessness services are frequently called on to bridge gaps in the social service system: supporting the working poor—those who are employed, yet cannot meet their basic living costs—or refugees whose visa conditions prevent them from working and finding income for their families.

The under 25′s make up a staggering 50% of those experiencing homeless in the ACT with 35% of those being under 18. Our statistics show that from July to December 2010 equal numbers of men and women were seeing homelessness support services. Also reported was that 10.4% of this number identify as Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, or both; with 11% born overseas and 6% have a disability.

The government aims to halve homelessness numbers by 2020, but currently, only 20% of homeless people find the support they need. First Point is working towards the bigger picture, we want to see an end to homelessness while protecting the most vulnerable along the way.