The NSW
Minister for Community Services, Pru Goward, met with the Homeless Persons’
Legal Service (HPLS) and StreetCare this week to hear first-hand stories of life
on the streets.
HPLS organised the meeting to coincide with Homeless Persons’ Week 2012.
‘What was
unique in this meeting is that we had a Cabinet Minister listening to four
people who have direct experience of homelessness,’ said HPLS policy officer
Lou Schetzer.
‘The Minister
listened to StreetCare members talk about the issues important to them.
‘She heard
some excellent policy ideas in relation to support for people exiting prison,
the need for better communication between homelessness services and the
Department of Housing, and the urgent need for better support for women and
children in housing crisis.
‘The meeting
clearly demonstrated the benefits of including consumer voices in government
policy,’ Mr Schetzer said.
The Minister
said she welcomed the opportunity to hear from StreetCare members. She said
some of the suggestions made on support for people exiting prison were ‘really
useful policy ideas’.
The Minister
committed to talking again with StreetCare members in the near future. ‘I’d like to come back in six months,’
Minister Goward said.
Pictured, top, from
left: StreetCare member Dave, Pru Goward MP, StreetCare member AJ, HPLS
policy officer Lou Schetzer, and StreetCare member Tony.
Pictured below left: StreetCare members with Minister Goward. Below right: StreetCare member Dave, with Minister Goward.
