Matthew Talbot Hostel

The Matthew Talbot Hostel, in Woolloomooloo is the largest hostel for homeless men in the Southern Hemisphere and the Society’s most recognized facility. There is a steady demand for the 98 crisis accommodation beds and its day services, which include the provision of meals, clothing, health and personal care. Up to 600 men use these services each day. More than 35,600 men are assisted each year.

Clients are assessed on arrival at the hostel and referred to a caseworker to establish a plan for crisis support and assistance from other agencies such as Centrelink, and housing, legal and mental health services as needed. Partnerships and cooperatives with a number of external agencies such as the City of Sydney Council, neighbourhood representative bodies, the area police command, counselling and legal services have been developed and formalised.

The community support team continued to explore a wide range of alternative community resettling options for the hostel’s clients, most of whom have complex needs and require a considerable level of support to manage a diverse range of issues including activities of daily living, guardianship, immigration and legal matters. Up to 80 clients were supported for the medium to long-term in a variety of community and private rental housing arrangements through the transitional housing and home-based programs.

On average 25 people sleep outside in the vicinity of the hostel and were visited, assisted and encouraged by hostel caseworkers in collaboration with the City of Sydney outreach service to engage in casework plans and accommodation offers.

The hostel’s clinic provided a range of health care services to about 100 homeless men each day. These services included medical, psychiatric, optometry, and podiatry care. After discharge from hospital or release from prison, clients referred to the hostel for accommodation were reviewed by the clinic staff to ensure continuity of care and follow up services were provided.

Around 600 meals are served daily at the Matthew Talbot.

To help continue the support offered to so many of Sydney's community of homeless men you can make a donation. Thank you for caring for those that sometimes are not heard.

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