Home in Place has been a long standing supporter of Hunter Homeless Connect Inc and the annual Hunter Homeless Connect Day, a key community event that helps people experiencing or at risk of homelessness access practical support, information and pathways to stability.
Hunter Homeless Connect Day brings together housing providers, health and wellbeing services, legal and financial assistance, training and employment supports and a wide range of community organisations in one accessible location. The aim is simple and meaningful: to create a welcoming space where people can connect with the right services at the right time.
Home in Place staff have been involved since the event began in 2009. For the past eight years, Events and Partnerships Manager Michelle Faithfull has coordinated the day in partnership with Hunter Homeless Connect Inc, leading service engagement, logistics, volunteer coordination, digital platforms and fundraising.
“Hunter Homeless Connect Day works because people can get the support they need in one place, without barriers,” Michelle said. “It’s about dignity, connection and making services easy to reach, especially for people who are doing it tough.”
Housing, health and stability go hand in hand
The importance of an event like Hunter Homeless Connect Day is reinforced by what we know about homelessness and health. People who experience long periods of homelessness are far more likely to face complex health conditions including chronic pain, cognitive impairment, mental illness, traumatic brain injury, substance use disorders and long term illnesses such as diabetes, Hepatitis C and heart or liver disease.
A Guardian Australia investigation found that Australians experiencing homelessness die on average at just 44 years of age, often from conditions that are treatable with timely care. Without secure housing, access to healthcare becomes harder, health issues escalate and people become trapped in crisis cycles that are avoidable.
By bringing housing, health and community services together, Hunter Homeless Connect Day helps bridge those gaps. People can speak with workers who understand the system, receive advice early, and get connected to supports that may prevent hospital presentations, unsafe discharge or a return to homelessness. For many attendees, it is the first step towards stability.
A trusted local resource
Home in Place also supports the Hunter Homeless Connect Community Directory, coordinated by Michelle. More than 30,000 printed copies have been distributed, and with funding from the City of Newcastle the directory moved online during COVID-19. It is now the most downloaded resource on the national My Community Directory platform.
Part of Home in Place’s broader commitment
Supporting Hunter Homeless Connect Day complements Home in Place’s wider efforts to reduce homelessness across the region. Around 15 dedicated staff work in housing access, and many tenants we house have previously experienced homelessness or significant hardship.
We also deliver and support major programs such as Together Home, This Way Home and the Big Ideas Homelessness Network, working with partners to help people transition from crisis to long term, stable housing.
Michelle said the strength of the event lies in its collaboration.
“It brings people and services together in a way that feels local and supportive. Every year, people tell us the day helped them take a step forward. That’s why it matters.”
Home in Place will continue working alongside Hunter Homeless Connect Inc and regional partners to deliver practical, respectful and connected support for people experiencing homelessness.
