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A Dunedin social agency is thrilled ongoing government funding will allow it to continue harnessing relationships to help the city’s homeless community.
Catholic Social Services will receive Ministry of Social Development (MSD) funding for a rough sleeper navigation support service, following a seven-month pilot which began in November.
General manager Mel McNatty said the funding was recognition of the pilot’s valuable work in Dunedin.
‘‘It just gives us the opportunity to be able to grow the service and work more collaboratively with other agencies in the city that we currently work with, and be able to provide a better service,’’ Ms McNatty said.
‘‘We’re really excited that the government is saying that is something that is worth resourcing.’’
Social worker Paul Barham, whose role was being funded by MSD, said the pilot sought to remove barriers preventing people from getting into housing and had built on strong relationships with clients, other social organisations such as the Night Shelter and government agencies.
He was anticipating a ‘‘silver tsunami’’ as older people increasingly found themselves in need of support.
During the pilot, Catholic Social Services had worked with 51 ‘‘household units’’, including 18 children.
Housing had been found for about 17 units - the agency was also contracted to provide support after the fact, Ms McNatty said.
‘‘We are advocates in a whole lot of spaces. But we are able to think outside the box and look at what a solution might be. Because it’s not just about putting people in a house.’’
The news comes as the Dunedin City Council continues recruitment for its in-house homeless outreach service.
In April, councillors narrowly voted against outsourcing an outreach service to an external provider, ultimately deciding to deliver an in-house model.
In-house delivery, with an annual cost of about $270,000, provided greater control and long-term alignment with council systems, a staff report said at the time.
For a similar cost, an external model offered faster implementation and lower short-term risk.
Ms McNatty said she hoped the council’s service would establish good partnerships with existing agencies.
‘‘The other thing that I think that council can do on behalf of our city is understand what the need is, so that there is advocacy,’’ she said.
‘‘But it does worry me that our council is deciding to get into what would be the role of social services.
‘‘There’s a skill level that’s required.
‘‘It’s not just about building a relationship with the person and putting them into a house. It’s understanding their needs, what’s out there in the city.’’
On Wednesday, a council spokeswoman said two homeless outreach adviser roles had been advertised and candidates were being interviewed.
Once the roles were filled, the advisers would work with the council’s housing policy team and community-based providers to better help people needing housing support and engagement with social support, healthcare and other such services, she said.
‘‘We cannot yet confirm start dates, but we look forward to having these important roles filled as soon as possible.’’