In northern Tasmania, Safe Space and Orana House is delivered by Launceston City Mission.

The Safe Space program provides emergency, overnight shelter. It recognises that for some people, a bed for the night is the first step towards engaging with services. Orana House also provides crisis and transitional accommodation for men facing homelessness, while they receive support to find and keep a long-term home.

Operations Manager for Launceston City Mission, Stephen Hill, says that providing the certainty of a bed for the night gives people facing homelessness some capacity and head space to connect with some of the other services and support they might need.

“At Safe Space, the mental, physical and emotional toll taken by not knowing where a person will stay from day to day is addressed.

“Orana House provides options for single men and includes a three-bedroom unit available to support men with children. The unit provides a safe and secure place for families facing homelessness, sometimes after a separation,” he said.

Stephen believes that crisis accommodation helps meet an immediate housing need and then helps people connect with services and support so they can navigate the next part of their journey.

“We help the men at Orana House stay in contact with Housing Connect and other services who provide care and opportunities for improved health and wellbeing outcomes.

“This reduces the concerns people have of not feeling safe and not knowing where to sleep or eat and are a place to access information on options and support services to help people quickly transition out of crisis,” he said.

Stephen shared a story of a client who accessed emergency relief and accommodation services.

“They lived without fixed accommodation, including periods sleeping rough for many years which affected their health and ability to have social connections.

Central to providing support to people facing homelessness is recognising that everyone has had the skills, capabilities and resources previously, but being able to access these has been negatively impacted through circumstances or choice. All can be redeveloped to enable the person to transition towards experiencing a good life.

“Even in their most difficult times, they would often play really complicated pieces of music, so beautifully,” said Stephen.

Launceston City Mission was able to help them get support from Housing Connect and the help them move in when they were offered a property.

“The outcome for this person showcases that providing intensive support to people who have faced homelessness for long periods can help change their lives, regardless of the toll that their life journey has taken on them.

“Everyone is worthy of a place of their own to call home,” Stephen said.

Stephen is committed to helping the community understand that the experience of homelessness.

“There are so many challenges that people facing homelessness have experienced in arriving at this point in their life that it is so important not to jump to conclusions.”

To read more about the Safe Space program visit Safe Space Launceston - City Mission

Learn about Orana House at Orana House - City Mission

Homelessness Week is an annual event nationally held this year between 5 – 11 August 2024.