Following her meeting this week with StreetCare,
the NSW Minister for Community Services, Pru Goward, has announced further
funding for the Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) to ensure StreetCare continues.
The Minister confirmed the funding today, on the
last day of National Homelessness Week.
Minister Goward said she was impressed with the
policy ideas suggested this week by StreetCare members. She said she would like
to return in six months to talk with the group again.
StreetCare is a consumer advisory committee made
up of people who are homeless or who have recently experienced homelessness.
The Homeless Persons’ Legal Service (HPLS)
established StreetCare in 2008 to uphold the rights of homeless people,
enabling them to participate in government policy-making and responses to homelessness.
HPLS, in turn, is a joint initiative between PIAC
and the Public Interest Law Clearing House (NSW).
StreetCare’s membership includes men, women,
transgender people and young people. Members live in inner Sydney, outer
suburbs and rural and regional areas.
StreetCare actively engages with
others who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, to facilitate their input
into public policy and law reform initiatives.
Pictured, top right, is StreetCare member Dave, with the NSW Minister for Community Services, Pru Goward.
Related story: Minister hears StreetCare members’ stories