Greater Western Sydney Support Service

The Gender Centre's Greater Western Sydney service is run  partnership with Wentworth Community Housing, this service supports clients located in the geographical areas of Penrith, Hawkesbury, Blue Mountains and Lithgow the service strives to deliver client centered services that build service responses around the needs of individual clients, these responses are based on the particular circumstances of each client, their experiences and choices, This includes individually tailoring the intensity and duration of support and the accommodation setting in which support will be delivered.

The GWS support service provides intervening early to prevent homelessness which includes:

  • promoting awareness of the causes of homelessness and early warning signs and factors indicating that a person may be at risk of becoming homeless
  • working closely with 'first to know' services (such as housing providers, correctional facilities, schools, domestic and family violence services) to identify people at risk of becoming homeless
  • working with other services to provide personal, emotional and practical support
  • working with others to promote inovative housing solutions
  • providing and facilitating access to post - crisis support to sustain clients in their accommodation  

Rapid rehousing response- which includes:

  • collaborating with real estate agents and social housing providers that facilitate access to long-term accommodation
  • assessing clients within 24 hours of becoming homeless
  • provide follow-up support as needed to help clients who have been rehoused to sustain their tenancy
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