Byron's homeless now have  a safe place to seek help at Fletcher Street Cottage.

In 2010, the Fletcher Street Cottage was established in Byron Bay as a homeless drop-in centre and now plays an important role in supporting social justice for Byron’s homeless.

The project was coordinated by Byron Community Centre, in partnership with Arakwal Aboriginal Corporation, the Salvation Army and St Vincent de Paul, who successfully negotiated the cottage's  lease with Byron Shire Council. The Cottage provides a comprehensive referral and support services and a number of essential facilities including food, laundry/bathroom and lockers.

The Cottage is an innovative model that shows how a community can take a collective approach to improve social justice. It addresses the rights and needs of homeless people in a regional coastal town and renowned tourist destination, where social justice for the homeless is very often overlooked. The benefits of the Fletcher Street Cottage can be seen in the award winning documentary* 'Fletcher Street Cottage' which can be seen online.

Byron’s homeless have since developed a strong sense of ‘ownership’—reflected in the 250 people who use the Cottage each week. Its location in the town centre is a visible and respectful expression of the presence, rights, and needs of homeless people in our community.

This is an integrated service hub and can be a much-needed circuit breaker to chronic homelessness by providing regular access to:

• A legal aid outreach clinic
• Centrelink engagement officers
• Doctors and nurses from the Bullinah Aboriginal Health Service and NSW
• Community Health
• Trained caseworkers for drug, alcohol and gambling addictions
• A housing support officer
• Emergency accommodation

Each year there are up to 1,000 referrals to government and non-government support services and to partner organisations such as the Byron Community Centre (Emergency Relief, financial and welfare counseling), Salvation Army and St Vincent de Paul (caseworkers and emergency housing).

Strong community support is reflected in the weekly team of 20 dedicated volunteers who assist in Cottage’s daily operation.

If a measure of society is the way it treats its most vulnerable citizens, then this model partnership project can be proud of the important role its plays in supporting social justice for Byron’s homeless.

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*The documentary won first prize at 2012 Flickerfest