Mission Australia recently celebrated the 10th anniversary of Annie Green Court, one of charity’s three aged care facilities in NSW for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, or who have experienced financial or social disadvantage.
Mission Australia welcomed Annie Green Court’s first residents in December of 2012.
For a decade, Annie Green Court has provided safety, security and dignity for residents and the sense of community that is so important to their mental health and wellbeing. Social interaction and community participation are built into the fabric of the facility.
For many of the residents, Annie Green Court is the first real home they’ve had in years.
Throughout the past decade Annie Green Court has been home to 270 residents and through the years the team have celebrated a 100th birthday, been awarded the Governor-General’s medallion and kept residents safe through the pandemic.
Mission Australia’s General Manager of Aged Care, Stephen Brooker, said, “I am inspired and humbled by the dedication of the team at Annie Green Court.
“They have ensured that the more vulnerable older members of our community have stable, safe accommodation where they can look after their mental and physical health and live with respect and dignity.
“Annie Green Court transforms the lives of its residents by facilitating social connection and a sense of community for residents – many of whom lived relatively isolated lives before they came to live at the facility.
“Annie Green Court was established with funds from the Federal Government, and was built to address the growing need for affordable and suitable aged care accommodation for people who had been rough sleeping or living in unstable accommodation or who lack the financial resources and family support needed to access mainstream aged care facilities.
“Sadly that need has only grown larger over the last ten years.
“With the ageing population set to double between 2010 and 2050, and the housing and homelessness crisis escalating – action must be taken to reduce the numbers of people, including older people, being pushed into homelessness.”
Mr Brooker said that appropriate housing is a major part of the solution for homelessness and that older people’s risk of homelessness can be reduced through the provision of affordable and accessible housing.
“Facilities like Annie Green Court are now more vital than ever, funding for at least one new supported aged care facility in each state annually would go a long way to address the current gaps,” he added.
