Nova for Women and Children chief executive officer Kelly Hansen said Newcastle Registry Week had given homeless people in Newcastle a platform to be heard.
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The inaugural Newcastle Registry Week was held last week and involved volunteers going out onto the streets in the early hours of the day and conducting a survey of the city’s rough sleepers.
The key findings revealed 54 people experiencing homelessness.
Of those identified 15 per cent needed affordable housing, 56 per cent needed housing and short-term support and 29 per cent required housing with permanent support.
Ms Hansen said those surveyed voiced concerns around safety and well-being.
She said 39 per cent had become a victim of violence since being homeless.
“We need to think long and hard on the impact of homelessness on people’s mental and physical well-being,” Ms Hansen said.
The data showed 83 per cent of those surveyed had mental health concerns.
A register has been generated from the survey plus specific information about health and housing needs.
Newcastle Registry Week co-ordinator Michael Fitzpatrick said the data from the survey could help house homeless people.
“Collectively our aim is to house every single one,” Mr Fitzpatrick said. “It is not out of the question, as it is a doable number, especially as we have a diverse group of local services and organisations associated with homelessness working together.
“We have already helped three people. This support ranges from transport to go home, through to temporary accommodation that will be followed up with a permanent solution and support.”
Most people experiencing homelessness were found sleeping on Newcastle streets, in parks and in cars.
They were aged between 18 and 83 years and 70 per cent were men and 30 per cent women.
Newcastle Registry Week was funded by Nova for Women and Children through NSW’s Family and Community Services and co-ordinated by the St Vincent de Paul Society NSW.