Housing minister Gerry McCarthy today announced $400,000 over two years for a pilot program in Katherine. 

The Katherine Doorways Hub, run by the Salvation Army, will provide support and dignity services, such as use of shower and a washing machine, and work to break down barriers that prevent people from accessing support.

Katherine’s homeless population is more than twice the Northern Territory average and 31 times the national average rate.

Researchers estimate one in four Indigenous people in Katherine are homeless. 

There is a two to six year waiting list for public housing in Katherine. 

The Katherine Doorways Hub, The Nest in Darwin and My Place in Alice Springs have been funded for two years to offer people at risk of homelessness safe and secure accommodation and support services. 

“Good housing is a right for all Territorians, yet sadly the Territory has the highest rate of homelessness in the nation,” Mr McCarthy said.

“Having a good home leads to a good education, good health and good community outcomes.

“These pilot programs aim to reduce homelessness, prevent people ending up on the street by providing accommodation and support people to transition into long-term living arrangements.”

Mr McCarthy said the three programs have been funded to identify new ways to improve the delivery of homelessness services.  

“A home is the foundation for people to connect and contribute to society,” Mr McCarthy said.

“These programs find innovative ways to support Territorians through challenging times, it’s important that as a government we continue to provide people options as it’s the right thing to do and ultimately benefits us all.”

Member for Katherine Sandra Nelson said the grant would assist local residents in need. 

“This will save lives and improve lives,” Ms Nelson said.

“What I am especially pleased about is that a variety of different organisations will be involved and will be onsite at scheduled times at the Hub to provide their services.

“This will allow clients and their family to tap into the skills and services that they need and get the help they require,” she said. 

Mr McCarthy said the government is focused on community based results rather than quantifying solutions. 

“We are looking at outcomes and innovation,” Mr McCarthy said. 

“The traditional thinkers that want to nail the minister with how many bedrooms will you deliver minister, my answer now to that traditional thinker is that we are actually going to consult with local people. 

“In our unique circumstances in the Territory it is not just about a bedroom it is about improving outdoor living areas which lots of families like to share.

“It is about looking at independent living spaces on a surface level and that will support seniors and it is about customizing existing infrastructure,” he said.

NT Chief Minister Michael Gunner said earlier this year that housing is paramount to closing the gap in the Northern Territory.

“Overcrowding in housing a huge problem. Children who live in overcrowded houses are far less likely to attend school in the morning or to eat a healthy meal.” Mr Gunner said. 

“Lack of housing has lasting impacts on health and education outcomes that are key targets of closing the gap.”

Wurli-Wurlingjang medical services director Dr Peter Fitzpatrick told Katherine Times earlier this year that housing and equitable infrastructure were essential to ‘closing the gap’.

“The easy steps towards changing health related gaps have already been taken, the hard stuff has not been done yet,” Dr Fitzpatrick has said.

“You can have the best primary health care service with perfect access, but if people go home to a house that is over crowded, you are still going to have a higher rate of morbidity and mortality.

“We could put more resources into Indigenous primary health care, which we would really appreciate, but ultimately a lot of these things will not equalise until the social determinants are equalized,” he said.