The Ending Rough Sleeping Collaboration Byron Shire (ERSCBS) was one of 50 finalists selected from more than 200 applicants nation-wide, to take part in a National Community Roadshow and Listening Tour by PLACE (Partnerships for Local Action and Community Empowerment), last month.
The Collaboration, established in 2020, is supported by Byron Shire Council, where a small team of staff convene local work to end homelessness.
“We were thrilled to be selected for the PLACE Listening Tour, and it was an invaluable experience that helped the local work we do here in the Byron Shire become recognised and supported at a national level – along with other place-based initiatives happening around Australia,” said Council’s Backbone Lead for the Ending Rough Sleeping Collaboration, Anna Lockwood.
As part of the Listening Tour, members of the Ending Rough Sleeping Collaboration Byron Shire, including people with lived experience of homelessness, local homelessness services, and community and philanthropic organisations, shared the wins they’ve seen the Collaboration achieve over time.
“Collective action has seen the establishment of a local Assertive Outreach team and a Homeless Health Outreach Team, the re-establishment of Fletcher Street Cottage and ongoing resourcing for Council’s Public Space Liaison Officers,” said Ms Lockwood.
“Local services have also worked hard to overcome system barriers together, like information and eligibility challenges, to make sure that support for local people is better coordinated.
“The work of the Collaboration is often invisible work, such as continuing to advocate for systems improvements that better support local people, and for much needed local social housing, because everyone deserves the right to a home.
“What we’ve learned through working together is that, with support from a backbone organisation like Council, community-led, place-based initiatives can help to solve homelessness – and our community needs to be trusted and resourced to make it happen,” she said.
As part of the tour, PLACE also made a site visit to members of the collaboration at Fletcher Street Cottage and Liberation Larder in Byron Bay, who provide crucial services to local people sleeping rough.
PLACE is a national organisation that supports the adoption and impact of place-based approaches in local communities across Australia.
Find out more about the Ending Rough Sleeping Collaboration Byron Shire (ERSCBS) see Council’s website or contact the team at roughsleeping@byron.nsw.gov.au.
