Housing Help
Robert is one of the thousands of people helped by community housing organisation Link Wentworth which has been changing lives for the past 40 years.
Thanks to Link Wentworth, the 62-year-old now has his own unit and is enjoying the peace and quiet after spending 15 years sleeping rough on the grandstand at McQuade Park, Windsor.
“I spent most of my life in the bush so living outside didn’t bother me that much but it can be dangerous because people hassle you,” he said.
Robert said while some people gave him a hard time, many people bought him coffees or something to eat and then a worker from the community housing organisation visited him regularly to check on him and see how they could help.
Link Wentworth’s has been providing social housing across Sydney, including 750 homes in the Hawkesbury region, for 40 years.
It currently manages more than 6,400 homes across Sydney, with homes in Richmond, South Windsor, Bligh Park, and Wilberforce.
Last year it opened the Hawkesbury’s first ever refuge for women, children and their pets. Since April 2023 it has supported 144 women and children and 6 pets.
Link Wentworth CEO Andrew McAnulty said: “Our Women and Children’s Safety Service which opened with 4 self-contained units for women, children and their pets is always full. .., last week we had 12 referrals and only three vacancies. There is an upward trend in demand from the Hawkesbury and surrounding areas.”
It took decades of advocacy to open the first four units. The service is now expanding, with an additional two independent apartments.
“Our service for women and children escaping domestic violence operates exclusively in the region, with specialist caseworkers providing up to 12 months intensive case management to support women and children to leave unsafe homes,” Mr McAnulty said.
Link Wentworth also operates a Specialist Homelessness Service to help connect clients with support services to access long-term stable housing and support.
The Hawkesbury Community Support Hub was opened in May 2023 and is run in partnership with St Matthews Anglican Church in Windsor to provide a ‘one-stop-shop’ where people can access housing support, financial advice, and disability assistance all under one roof.
Since the hub opened 447 people have been assisted. Mr McAnulty said: “Social housing is more important than ever as the cost of living and housing crises continue to pressure individuals and families.
Link Wentworth is committed to working with local, state and federal governments and the private sector to make sure that we secure funding for new and much needed housing within the Hawkesbury region – now is the time to build upon our history, and work with partners to do more.”
More than 100 former and current residents, staff, volunteers, partners, and support workers gathered at the Richmond Club on 26th July to mark the 40th anniversary Link Wentworth is one of Australia’s largest providers of safe, secure, and affordable housing.
