Helping People Get Back on Their Feet

22.06.17 14:59

An innovative homelessness program will be launched in Darwin today to support people to get back on their feet, move into private rentals and live independently.

Minister for Housing and Community Development, Gerry McCarthy, said The Salvation Army’s The Nest program has been awarded a Homelessness Innovation Fund grant of $280,000 over two years to support people facing challenging times.

“We know homelessness is a big problem – we have listened and we are taking action,” Mr McCarthy said.
“The Territory Labor Government believes good housing is a right for all people, yet sadly the NT has the highest rate of homelessness in the nation.

“A home is the foundation for people to connect, be healthy and ultimately contribute to society – that’s why we are investing in programs to reduce homelessness and support people in need.”

The Nest will work with program participants to expand their living, working and community participation skills and provide health, financial and counselling support.

The Nest will enable people to establish a rental history and understand their rights and responsibilities as tenants, with the Salvation Army leasing properties with programparticipants listed as co-tenants.

Participants will also benefit from a partnership with the NT Thunder who will work with participants as mentors and provide work, volunteering, personal development and recreation opportunities.

“Having a good home leads to a good education, good health and good community outcomes and this program supports people to develop the skills to get their life back on track – in one way or another it will benefit all Territorians,” Mr McCarthy said.

“This innovative program will provide locals with wrap-around support, employment skills and other assistance. It’s important that as a government we help people across our whole community, it’s the right thing to do.”
Salvation Army Captain Kris Halliday said The Nest is based on the award-winning The Magpie Nest program in Melbourne in partnership with the Collingwood Football Club.

“The Nest in Darwin will follow the success of The Magpie Nest which has gone from strength to strength to successfully support more people each year and we are really excited about getting this program up and running,” Mr Halliday said.

“We will support people to move out of emergency accommodation and into long-term, secure accommodation at the end of the program.”

The Homelessness Innovation Fund aims to improve outcomes in the delivery of homelessness services for Territorians.
The Northern Territory Government will release a homelessness strategy later this year.