Since 2011 SJASC has advocated for many people in our shire who struggle to find affordable accommodation, by raising awareness of their situation and providing crisis accommodation.
As a housing crisis was formally publicly declared on April 5 2023 by the Bega Council General manager , the SJA continues to take practical action to directly help families and individuals.
We have through our community donations of over $500,000 since mid 2021, been able to purchase and open 8 crisis transitional units (moveable dwellings) and we also operate about 25 caravans every night.
We have a working Management Committee comprised of service providers and supported by a grant funded facilitator to operate the eight units in conjunction with a local Bega Realtor.
Note that this SJA housing sub group ramped up our crisis housing support with the collection and delivery of over 80 additional caravans to properties to facilitate the return to their own properties.
All of our advocacy can only be effective through this most generous financial donations of our community. We have no external funding and are totally independent of all governments and other organisations; we restrict our advocacy to help the people in the Bega Valley.
This sub group also circulates donated furniture to people throughout the shire on a weekly basis and operate a small food collection and distribution through the Uniting Church volunteers in Eden.
All of this work is done in consultation and collaboration with the professional Bega service providers. This ensures continuous support for all participants with whom we work with the aim to be efficient in our advocacy.
We have always been a member of the BVSC’s housing committees and the current Bega Housing Implementation group.
In 2020 we co founded and continue to co chair with the BVSC, the Bega Valley Community Disaster Relief Fund (BVCDRF), a perpetual and sustainable fund aimed at helping people impacted by natural disasters.
https://begavalley.nsw.gov.au/community/bega-valley-community-disaster-relief-fund
We meet at the rooms of the Uniting Church in Bega approximately once a month. The meetings are open to all members to discuss and update our advocacy work.
SJA welcomes new members to any of its sub groups and general activities.
What can I do ? How may I help ?