Public space liaison officers
Provide a compassionate and respectful response to address issues arising from the impact of homelessness in public places.
Homelessness and public space
Public space liaison officers work with people sleeping rough, our organisation, homelessness service providers, government agencies such as Transport for NSW, NSW Police, residents and businesses. They help broker responses that both address the issues and respond to the needs of vulnerable individuals at the same time.
Along with our organisation, the officers regularly consult with people sleeping rough about policy and actions that will impact them. People experiencing homelessness are given the opportunity to negotiate outcomes and help find solutions. People sleeping rough are encouraged to contact us with any concerns about their interactions with us or external stakeholders.
The officers aim to take a preventive rather than reactive approach by early identification of issues relating to rough sleepers in public places and early referral to assistance.
Working with the community
We support the state government’s protocol for homeless people in public places. The protocol acknowledges the equal rights of all members of the community to access public places. However, people who use public places must do so responsibly.
Tension may arise between local communities and people sleeping rough in public places. The officers are a major link between rough sleepers and the wider community to address this tension.
