Young people become homeless for many reasons. For some it’s because of family breakdown or violence in the home, for others it’s because they have disengaged from school and no longer have strong connections and support networks within their community. Some simply cannot afford rent.
Our Blacktown Hills Youth Homelessness Service supports homeless young people or those at risk of becoming homeless. This service is available to young people aged between 16-25 years with connections to the Blacktown or Hills Shire Local Government Areas.
In working with young people, we:
- consider experiences of trauma and engage core therapeutic and trauma informed principles in every aspect of the young person's engagement.
- assist in exploring accommodation and housing options based on individual needs.
- assist in developing capacity to obtain and sustain independent housing.
- guide and support the young person to navigate services for general health, mental health, education, employment and financial assistance.
- assist in linking to other specialist support services.
- assist in establish and or maintain healthy relationships including strengthening their connections to family, community and culture.
The Blacktown Hills Youth Homelessness Service provides Case Management Support and Accommodation options.
Crisis accommodation
Young people will receive:
- 24/7 support from a trained and skilled Therapeutic Care Team.
- Safe, welcoming and homelike environment.
- Strengths focused and young person-centred Case Management supports with a focus on safety and future.
- Psychoeducation focused on strengthening understanding of self, healthy relationships, safety, healing and positive futures.
Transitional accommodation
Young People will receive:
- Support from trained and skilled Case Worker based on the young person's individual needs and capacities.
- Safe, welcoming, home-like environment that is supported-independent living.
- Strengths focused and young person-centred Case Management supports with a focus on safety and future.
- Support to develop life skills to enable young people to live independently, maintain tenancy and prevent future homelessness.
How to access this service
The Blacktown Hills Youth Homelessness Service is available by referral only. For more information or to make a referral, please contact the MacKillop Metro Sydney Office on 02 8881 4800 or email referral@mackillop.org.au.
MacKillop delivers this service in partnership with Marist 180.
For referrals to other NSW homelessness services contact Link2Home, a single state-wide information and referral service to assist homeless people and those at risk of homelessness. It provides information, assessment and referrals to homelessness services. Call 1800 152 152 (9am-10pm seven-days-a-week).
