A new program has helped spare dozens of Illawarra residents from the despair of homelessness.
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Among them is Teresa Harvey, a long-time resident of a Department of Housing unit at Bulli.
The 57-year-old is on a Disability Support Pension, and said an inability to property navigate a flight of stairs at her property had created issues that placed her at risk of losing her tenancy.
“I wasn’t getting my rubbish out, I couldn’t carry it down the stairs,” she said.
“I couldn’t work out a way to do it without having to carry it down the stairs… And I avoid the stairs when they’re wet, because they’re not undercover and I’m frightened of slipping.
“It just all piled up. And because I suffer with depression, when you start letting one thing slip, then you let other things slip and before you know it, you’re snowed under.”
The Glider Project aims to empower and educate vulnerable people whose tenancies are at risk on ways to preserve their tenancies in the public and private housing sector.
Spanning from Helensburgh to Nowra, the program aims to reduce homelessness via early intervention.
In March, Wollongong Emergency Family Housing officially launched the project in collaboration with real estate agents, government and non-government housing providers.
It seeks to identify the issues that are negatively impacting the client and formulate a plan to address them.
They’re very understanding, they’re non-judgmental, (even though) you don’t want to let anybody in the front door, because you’re so embarrassed.
Mandy Booker, manager of Wollongong Emergency Family Housing and Wollongong Homeless Hub said the program has thus far helped prevent 18 families from becoming homeless.
She said all those tenancies were scheduled to go to tribunals, and were at immediate risk of losing their tenancies.
Ms Harvey said the program co-ordinator Megan Arthur had helped her remove the clutter and address these issues. This has included linking her with support agencies to help sustain her new living skills.
“They’ve been helping me sort through things, and cull other stuff,” she said.
“Like going through mail that you don’t need to keep any more, things like that.
“They’re very understanding, they’re non-judgmental, (even though) you don’t want to let anybody in the front door, because you’re so embarrassed.
“You feel better, because I can’t do a lot of the work, but what I can participate in, it makes you feel like all the work’s worth it.
“I had an inspection the other week, and the ladies who came out were very pleased.”
Ms Booker said referrals could come from landlords, real estates and local community housing providers.
The project is nearing the end of a six-month pilot period, with organisers planning to seek funding to ensure its ongoing viability.