Port Adelaide Enfield has been chosen to execute South Australia’s latest endeavour to eliminate homelessness through the newly announced Port Adelaide Enfield Zero Project (PAEZP). This initiative seeks to eradicate rough sleeping within the local community by using a collaborative approach between various governmental and non-profit organisations.
Current estimates suggest there are, on average, between 30 and 40 people sleeping rough across the Port Adelaide Enfield community.
The PAEZP joins the ongoing Adelaide Zero Project that began in 2018, providing a model that has seen notable improvements in handling homelessness. According to Nat Cook, Minister for Human Services, the project’s success in Adelaide makes a strong case for the Port Adelaide Enfield venture.
The approach revolves around comprehensive, real-time data collection among the homeless population to better allocate resources and services. The innovative “By Name Lists” method will be used, which aims to track individuals, identifying their needs and the dynamics of their situations to foster more effective responses.
Community-driven responses are central to this project, ensuring that tailored support can be given to those in need. This involves coordination among organisations including SA Health, the Mental Framework Health and Corrections to address the complex facets of homelessness.
Orla Matthews, Senior Manager of the Adelaide North West Homelessness Alliance, stated, “The realisation of the Port Adelaide Enfield Zero project has been enabled by the commitment from key stakeholders to a shared goal. Together, we aim to ensure the needs of rough sleepers in the City of Port Adelaide Enfield are visible, addressed and that outcomes are sustained.”
Claire Boan, Mayor of the City of Port Adelaide Enfield, also shared her enthusiasm for the new project. “The City of Port Adelaide Enfield is committed to supporting wellbeing for the whole community,” she remarked.
The Zero Project has shown promising results in Adelaide, where originally 150-200 people were found to be sleeping rough nightly in the city. Since the project’s inception, more than half of the identified individuals have found housing, with an impressive 90% retention rate, indicating they did not return to the streets.
This strategic framework not only assists those currently experiencing homelessness but also prevents the cyclical nature of homelessness by offering sustainable housing and case management services. By integrating housing solutions with health and other critical services, the project sets a sustainable model of care and support for homeless individuals.
The commitment from various organisations, the availability of data-driven techniques, and an evidence-based approach are expected to make a substantial impact on the homelessness situation in Port Adelaide Enfield. As teams on the ground work with the belief that ending homelessness is achievable, all eyes will be on the outcomes of this inclusive and progressive project.
For more on the The Adelaide Zero Project, head to https://saaeh.org.au/azp/
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