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HOMELESSNESS: With Kelly McGarrity – Creating pathways to housing
When demand for homelessness services hits record levels, what does innovation look like to respond to the challenge?
With 68,700 people on social housing waitlists across the state and over 3,000 waiting in the Wollongong-Shellharbour area alone, the homelessness crisis can feel overwhelming. But Kelly McGarrity, Housing Services Manager at Wollongong Homeless Hub and Housing Services (WHHHS), is finding creative ways to respond and to meet people where they are.
Fresh from receiving a Community Services Award for Leadership, Kelly joins host Nicky to discuss the changing face of homelessness in the region. "We are seeing more people than ever presenting at our services that are telling us that they are sleeping in their cars and in unsafe accommodation," Kelly reveals.
One surprising innovation? Pet-friendly accommodation. When Kelly's team noticed demand from people with pets had more than doubled in just 12 months, they took action. "We know that people have such strong connections to their pets… their pets really help them through," Kelly explains. For many experiencing homelessness, the fear of losing a beloved animal companion can mean staying in unsafe situations far longer than they should.
The conversation also explores an uncomfortable truth: homelessness increasingly affects older Australians and working people who simply can't find affordable housing. Kelly walks through the range of services WHHHS provides, from case management and tenancy support to crisis accommodation and their drop-in hub, while celebrating the amazing frontline staff who are “at the coalface everyday."
Want to help? Kelly outlines practical ways the community can get involved, from volunteering and donations to business partnerships. You can even contribute through Woolworths stores around Wollongong to provide food and hygiene products for those in need.
Links and Resources:
- Wollongong Homeless Hub: Wollongong Homeless Hub | Home
- AIHW Data on Homelessness: Homelessness and homelessness services - Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
- Homelessness NSW (data, information and resources): Homelessness NSW
Acknowledgement of Country
Community Industry Group' podcast is recorded on beautiful Dharawal Country, and we acknowledge the traditional custodians of this land, and their Elders.
We acknowledge and respect their continuing culture, the world’s oldest living culture, and the contribution they make to the life of this region and our country.
We acknowledge that we live and work on Aboriginal land and recognise the strength, resilience and capacity of Aboriginal people.
Music Credit:
"Jarvic 8" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
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By Community Industry GroupWhen demand for homelessness services hits record levels, what does innovation look like to respond to the challenge?
With 68,700 people on social housing waitlists across the state and over 3,000 waiting in the Wollongong-Shellharbour area alone, the homelessness crisis can feel overwhelming. But Kelly McGarrity, Housing Services Manager at Wollongong Homeless Hub and Housing Services (WHHHS), is finding creative ways to respond and to meet people where they are.
Fresh from receiving a Community Services Award for Leadership, Kelly joins host Nicky to discuss the changing face of homelessness in the region. "We are seeing more people than ever presenting at our services that are telling us that they are sleeping in their cars and in unsafe accommodation," Kelly reveals.
One surprising innovation? Pet-friendly accommodation. When Kelly's team noticed demand from people with pets had more than doubled in just 12 months, they took action. "We know that people have such strong connections to their pets… their pets really help them through," Kelly explains. For many experiencing homelessness, the fear of losing a beloved animal companion can mean staying in unsafe situations far longer than they should.
The conversation also explores an uncomfortable truth: homelessness increasingly affects older Australians and working people who simply can't find affordable housing. Kelly walks through the range of services WHHHS provides, from case management and tenancy support to crisis accommodation and their drop-in hub, while celebrating the amazing frontline staff who are “at the coalface everyday."
Want to help? Kelly outlines practical ways the community can get involved, from volunteering and donations to business partnerships. You can even contribute through Woolworths stores around Wollongong to provide food and hygiene products for those in need.
Links and Resources:
- Wollongong Homeless Hub: Wollongong Homeless Hub | Home
- AIHW Data on Homelessness: Homelessness and homelessness services - Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
- Homelessness NSW (data, information and resources): Homelessness NSW
Acknowledgement of Country
Community Industry Group' podcast is recorded on beautiful Dharawal Country, and we acknowledge the traditional custodians of this land, and their Elders.
We acknowledge and respect their continuing culture, the world’s oldest living culture, and the contribution they make to the life of this region and our country.
We acknowledge that we live and work on Aboriginal land and recognise the strength, resilience and capacity of Aboriginal people.
Music Credit:
"Jarvic 8" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/