As a homeless woman sits down with her support group she smiles.
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Her smile is because there is hope of better things to come.
The team from Shoalhaven Homeless Hub is giving her and many others a reason to think positively about their futures.
The hub provides all sorts of assistance for the homeless.
“I don’t like to take the things the hub has to offer all the time because other people need to get a go as well,” the homeless women who asked not to be named said.
The hub started as Shoalhaven Youth Accommodation in 1987 and in 2014 homeless services were put out to tender as the system was being reformed.
The services evolved and opened in November 2014 as the Shoalhaven Homeless Hub.
People come to the hub after being referred to the group by the housing department or other services.
Shoalhaven Homeless Hub manager Kerri Snowden said at a person’s first contact their needs are assessed.
“Some do not have any food and some maybe sleeping rough,” Ms Snowden said.
“So were are able to help them out with food, toiletry packs or with a shower and we also have a washing machine people can use.”
People also get assistance in applying for housing.
“We refer them to other services and we also advocate very strongly for them,” Ms Snowden said.
The homeless hub manager said basically they give people a second chance.
“It’s about supporting people so they can get back on top of things,” she said.
The need for hub in the local community is strong.
“I think it was three week ago and we had about 50 to 60 people come through and it was unbelievable,” she said.
“We have had some great stories and good successes.”
Ms Snowden said when people get access to a house they are all ecstatic.
Some sections of the community are not favour of the homeless hub but Ms Snowden said more people supported them.
“For every nasty person out there is a 1000 lovely ones,” she said.
She said the homeless were wrongly judged by people.
“They automatically assume every homeless person is a druggie,” she said.
“Everyone is entitled to their opinion but it’s the nastiness and bigotry are the things we can't condone.”
She said nobody was immune from homelessness and one day people who complain about the homeless may one day have family member or even themselves without a home.
She thinks the homeless situation is getting worse and she cannot say why.
“We see more single men and we have nothing to base our stats on but every service will tell you the need for support has gone through the roof in the last two to three years,” she said.
“They are not scum or this or that - they are human beings and I think people forget that and those critics have never come in and spoken to us.
“One good thing that has come out of all this negativity is Nowra is on the map well and truly - probably for all the wrong reasons.”
Winter could stretch the homeless services.
“Any winter is bad if you are out in it,” she said
As she spoke, one homeless man who had almost been washed in the recent rain was at the hub seeking some support and getting breakfast.
The hub is thankful for all the donations of food and other items they get from the community.
A simple warm hearted chat is something the hub also offers.
The hub is located at 27 Junction and for more information call 4423 2804.