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The role of Piccadilly in addressing the region's homelessness issues has not gone unnoticed by Illawarra housing agencies.
This month, the official opening of a new "homeless hub" by Wollongong Emergency Family Housing and Wollongong Women's Housing will create a one-stop-shop for homelessness resources just metres from the Piccadilly entrance.
"Housing clients will ring around from one service to the next trying to find help, so we thought it would be great to have all the services together under one roof," said Loekie Klevjer, manager of Women's Housing.
"It's an entry point for anyone facing these issues, so they can quickly be referred to the most appropriate service."
To open at 305 Crown Street, the homeless hub will host regular visits from Centrelink, the Illawarra Legal Service, real estate agents and other related services.
It will also offer computer banks, phone and internet access, and regular workshops from money management to craft for children.
"There's kids living in Piccadilly, shut up inside, and we want to give them something to do outside," said Emergency Family Housing's Julie Mitchell.
"The hub will give access to all kinds of support workers, so the homeless don't have to travel. They can drop in every day to check emails and look for properties."
The location was chosen for its proximity to Piccadilly, as well as the prominence and visibility a shopfront location on Crown Street would offer.
"We'll run groups about how to apply for a property, and training on how to talk to a real estate agent," Ms Mitchell said.
"The most important part is linking with real estate and helping people find private rental," Ms Klevjer said.
"Many homeless people in Wollongong are homeless because they can't find or afford rentals, or don't know how to apply for a property."
The Wollongong Homeless Hub will open for business on October 10. For more information, call Wollongong Emergency Family Housing on 4228 0955.