Across Australia, homelessness is often the result of lack of affordable accommodation, unemployment, mental illness, broken families, domestic violence and/or substance misuse, to name a few.

Finding solutions to reduce and in time, end homelessness means responding to the unique needs of each person – rather than forcing them into a system that may not be
suitable for their individual needs.

This is particularly important, at pivotal junctures in their lives – such as and not limited to, when people become unemployed, decouple, leave care or prison, experience trauma, etc.
 

Starting in WA, i24s’ approach to outreach and advocacy has been and remains, firmly focussed on steadily reducing the disproportionate representation of Aboriginal people within the homelessness population.

Return to Country Program (RTC)
i24s manages the RTC applications in a culturally appropriate and sensitive manner, including ensuring timeframes are suited to each Applicant.

This process is undertaken in accordance with the respective government agency’ Standards. Our team have also developed supporting Guidelines around RTC processes (i.e. how many times it can be accessed, and other appropriate terms and exclusions, etc.).

i24s is passionate about the preservation cultural heritage and sustaining First Nations communities, therefore we provide additional support, including and not limited to:

• Liaising with Elders in the respective regions.

• Understanding anti-social matters that may need to be shared with government agencies.

• Working with the respective State and Territory Police and Departments of Justice to transfer Court appearances back to the Country on which the Applicant is returning.

Outreach and Advocacy

Changing and often unforeseen circumstances can have considerable negative impacts on society – specifically, in rising levels of homelessness.