Homelessness Support in Lane Cove
Homelessness is an issue that affects community members in Lane Cove. The most visible form of homelessness is rough sleeping. However, there are many hidden forms of homelessness that often go unnoticed, including:
- Living in temporary, insecure, or overcrowded accommodation
- Living in unsafe environments
- Living out of a car
- Couch surfing
People experiencing homelessness have the same rights as anyone else to:
- Be in a public space
- Participate in public activities and events
- Carry and manage their own belongings
- Ask for help, or say no to help
The NSW Government has introduced a Protocol for Homeless People in Public Spaces. Lane Cove Council is guided by this protocol in all interactions with people experiencing homelessness.
Download Lane Cove Council's Crisis Support brochure for information about local homelessness and crisis support services.
See below for information about what support is available for people experiencing homelessness, and what community members can do if they are concerned for the welfare of someone experiencing homelessness.
How to help
If you are concerned about the welfare of a person who is homeless in Lane Cove, you can contact the St George Community Housing (SGCH) Homelessness Outreach Team.
Email: mnepathways@sgch.com.au
Please include as much information in your email as possible about the person experiencing homelessness, including:
- location
- time of day you saw them
- gender (if known)
- clothing they were wearing
- any other identifying information
- If you believe a person may be living in their car, please provide the car make and model (or if unknown, a description of the car), the colour of the car, and the registration number.
Note: Please respect the privacy of the person experiencing homelessness. Do not take photos.
Homelessness and Crisis Support Services
Ask Izzy:
AskIzzy is an online directory for crisis support and services.
Accommodation Services:
- Twenty10 provides independent transitional housing and case management for young LGBTQIA+ people aged 17 - 25. Call (02) 8594 9555.
Food, Amenities, and Finacial Supports:
- The Crows Nest Centre runs a community restaurant with cheap morning tea and lunch Monday to Friday from 10:30am until food runs out. The Crows Nest Centre also has a community shower and provides underwear and sleeping bags for people experiencing homelessness.
Address: 2 Ernest Place, Crows Nest
Phone: (02) 9439 5122
- The Bridge Church provides a free BBQ lunch at Greenway on the second and fourth Sunday of the month.
Address: Greenway Social Housing Estate, Greenway Drive, Milsons Point
Phone: (02) 8920 9817
- St Basil's Artarmon Anglican Church provides subsidised groceries from its mobile pantry fortnightly on Mondays between 1:00pm and 2:00pm.
Address: St Basil's Artarmon Anglican Church, 6 Broughton Rd, Artarmon
Phone: (02) 9412 1315
- Sydney Community Services provides food parcels, utility vouchers and Opal cards for short-term assistance in an emergency.
Address: Lane Cove Community Hub, 1 Pottery Lane, Lane Cove.
Phone: (02) 9427 6425
- St Vincent De Paul in Crows Nest offers practical assistance, budget advice, information and referral to those in need.
Address: 60 Alexander Street, Crows Nest.
Phone: (02) 9436 0725.
Free Telstra Payphones:
All Telstra Payphones are free for standard local, national and mobile calls. To find your nearest payphone, visit the Telstra website.
Legal Support:
- Youth Law Australia provides free, confidential legal information and help for young people under 25.
Helplines:
- 1800 Respect (1800 737 732) provides free and confidential information, counselling and support services for people who have been affected by domestic and family violence or sexual assault. Available 24/7.
- BeyondBlue (1300 224 636) provides free and confidential mental health information and support. Available 24/7.
- Lifeline (13 11 14) provides free crisis support and suicide prevention services. Available 24/7.
- The NSW Domestic Violence Line (1800 656 463) provides counselling and referrals to women experiencing domestic and family violence. Available 24/7.
- NSW Mental Health Line (1800 011 511) provides advice, assessment and referral for individuals and their families impacted by mental illness. Available 24/7.
- NSW Sexual Violence Help (1800 424 017) provides support for anyone in NSW impacted by sexual assault including friends, families and supporters. Available 24/7.