Transitional Community Housing is hosting a Fashion Show on August 29th.
A transitional housing project which started in Kenthurst has now provided homes for 31 people facing homelessness in the past 18 months and is looking for more homes to add to its rental portfolio.
The movement by local volunteers Dennis van Someren and Jim Visione to find a solution to a growing homelessness problem was set in motion nine years ago with the establishment of the Kenthurst Project and Hills Community Housing.
Now called Transitional Community Housing it has secured five properties and has provided support to secure housing for 12 older women and 18 dependants.
One of those is Sue* (not her real name) who said: “As a single mother working full-time and facing the overwhelming financial strain of raising three children, I found myself struggling to make ends meet. It often felt like I was running on empty, just trying to keep the wheels from falling off.
“That’s when I found Transitional Community Housing, and their support has been a true lifeline. Their assistance has brought much-needed relief to my family, not just financially, but emotionally as well. It’s given me the peace of mind I needed to focus on my work and care for my children.”
Dennis van Someren said: “We recognise that women over 55 are the fastest growing cohort of homeless and with them we are seeing 1 in 7 homeless people, children under the age of 7. Both these outcomes cannot be accepted.
“Over 300 women are turned away daily by homelessness services and the wait list for social housing gets longer.”
He said the service, which partners with Wesley Community Housing, is looking for compassionate people willing to lease their home, apartment or granny flat to TCH at “mates rates”. Transitional Community Housing Ltd subsidises the rental gap and provides property maintenance to assist homeless women.
A homeowner who is part of the program said their family home was vacant when they downsized so they worked with their Real Estate Agent to offer their property for rent through TCH.
“Transitional Community Housing fitted out the house to give the family a start and organised any necessary repairs. We are accepting a lower rent to assist the family get on their feet knowing that the property will be well cared for while we wait for a buyer … it is now earning an income to help cover rates, insurance and maintenance costs.
We’ve been assured by our agent that there will be no impediment to the sale of the house when the time comes. We also understand that Transitional Community Housing will assist the family find and set up in a new home when ours is no longer available.
“ To raise money for maintenance work and support, TCH is holding a Fashion show and dinner at Visy Dior at Norwest on August 29th. The evening will feature fashion from Leilani Boutique, entertainment and some surprise models.
To find out more about the Fashion show and book a ticket, or to find out how else you can help visit www.transitionalcommunityhousing.org.au
