General News
Grants to End Homelessness
A new Expression of Interest (EOI) form for a Grant to End Homelessness for the financial year 2010-11 has been uploaded to our website. Please note our closing date for expressions of interest is strictly COB on 30 September 2010.
General News
It could be you
A recent report by Ludo McFerran about older women and homelessness “It could be you: female, single, older and homeless” (published Aug 2010). Read more.
General News
Homelessness and Asylum Seekers
Refugee agencies across Australia are increasingly concerned with the number of asylum seekers facing homelessness or at risk of homelessness.
General News
The Human Face of Homelessness
The Sydney Morning Herald published this compelling article by Matthew Cox to mark the beginning of Homelessness Week.
General News
Small Grants Awarded
Congratulations to all organisations that were successful in applying for a Small Grant. Read more about our latest projects to be supported.
General News
Project 40
In early August, NSW Housing Minister Frank Ternzini launched the NSW regional homelessness action plans. The project, to be delivered in conjunction with the federal government, will deliver vital services to ten local regions over the next four years.
General News
Homelessness and Female Asylum Seekers
A disturbing new segment of homeless women has been identified amongst asylum seekers.
General News
Latest News from the Mercy Foundation
Find out more about the Mercy Foundation and the projects we have supported.
General News
Therese Rein opens Mercy Foundation Offices
On Tuesday, 18 May, the Mercy Foundation celebrated the Opening and Blessing of our new home in the Poche Centre, 40 Rocklands Rd North Sydney. Our guest of honour was Ms Therese Rein
General News
The Mercy Foundation's Social Justice Award
The Mercy Foundation was also pleased to make its annual Social Justice award at the opening event on the 18th May. Grocon, an Australian construction company, was awarded the Mercy Foundation’s Social Justice award.
General News
Sisters of Mercy celebrate the Foundation’s new home
The Sisters of Mercy North Sydney celebrated the Opening and Blessing of the Mercy Foundation’s new home at a morning tea on Thursday, 13 May.
General News
Latest Update
Find out what's been happening at the Mercy Foundation this month.
General News
Small Grants Applications now closed
The deadline for applications for the Mercy Foundation National Small Grants Program is now closed. Our next round opens in September.
General News
Housing is a Justice Issue
Hear Dr GABRIELLE GWYTHER - Post Doctoral Research Fellow at the Social Justice Social Change Research Centre, University of Western Sydney speak on Sunday March 21.
General News
Homelessness is not a 'choice'
Stephen Nash, CEO of Homeground in Melbourne and Chair of the Australian Common Ground Alliance dispels the myth that 'homelessness' is a choice.
General News
Mercy Foundation new contact details
The Mercy Foundation's new phone number is 02 9911 7390. Our new postal address is 40 Rocklands Road, North Sydney.
Published Article
Adopting a Housing First Approach
A new resource from the United States based 'National Alliance to End Homelessness' might be a useful tool for Australia. Whilst the policy and funding environment is different, there are definitely great lessons we can also use.
General News
Spotlight on Small Grants
In 2009 the Mercy Foundation awarded a small grant to the Women's Legal Service in Queensland to help fund a legal advice line for women from rural, regional and remote areas.
General News
Common Ground - "Let a hundred flowers bloom"
The Australian newspaper has recently been highlighting issues about responses to homelessness in Australia. In this article by Monsignor David Cappo he responds to criticisms of the Common Ground model.
General News
January 2010 Update
Read the latest news from the Mercy Foundation. We wrap up 2009 and look at a few things happening in 2010.
General News
Stimulus housing to help the homeless
Rudd Government announces that 50% of housing under the stimulus package to go to be people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
Media Interview
Common Ground highlighted on Radio National
Radio National presented a short program on ending homelessness and the Common Ground model of permanent supportive housing. This program was aired on Breakfast on Wednesday 2 December.
Published Article
Parity Journal - Responding to Homelessness in NSW
The Mercy Foundation was pleased to be just one of the many agencies that supported the October edition of Parity, a special edition which focussed on the response to homelessness in NSW.
Conference Presentation
What would it take to end homelessness?
Rosanne Haggerty presented a paper at the recent Mercy Foundation forum entitled "What would it take to end homelessness". Her presentation is now available.
Media Release
Founder of Common Ground in Sydney
Rosanne Haggerty, Founder and President of Common Ground is currently visiting Sydney. On Thursday 19 November she will have a joint media conference with David Borger, Minister for Housing to talk about the new Common Ground development in Sydney.
Conference Presentation
1st National Supportive Housing Seminar, Melbourne
We regret that this event is now full but if you are interested in acquiring a copy of the seminar on DVD please contact Sharon Nicholson at sharonn@homeground.org.au
Conference Presentation
An evening with Rosanne Haggerty, Sydney
Rosanne Haggerty, leading international expert on homelessness, will be our special guest at an event on Thursday, 19 November, at Mallesons Stephen Jaques.
General News
Solving Homelessness - What's happening in London now?
On the 4th November, the Mercy Foundation and City of Sydney will be co-hosting a forum with Liz Harper, Director at St Mungo’s in London. Liz will be presenting the recent work of St Mungo’s, including their new initiative, the ‘Outcomes Star'.
Conference Presentation
NSW Legislative Council’s Standing Committee on Social Issues launches Homelessness and low-cost accommodation Report
The NSW Legislative Council’s Standing Committee on Social Issues Inquiry into Homelessness and low-cost rental accommodation has released its report. The Mercy Foundation provided both written submissions and verbal evidence.
Media Release
Nepean Regional Homelessness Taskforce launched – to develop 10 year plan to end homelessness
The Hon. Tanya Plibersek has launched a taskforce set up to develop a 10 year plan to end homelessness in Western Sydney. Felicity Reynolds from the Mercy Foundation was one of the key speakers at the launch.
General News
Call for Contributions to 'Parity'
The Mercy Foundation is proud to be one of the supporters for the special ‘Responding to Homelessness in NSW’ edition of Parity. Find out more about contributing to this edition.
General News
Applications for Mercy Foundation Grants closing soon
Applications for the Mercy Foundation small grant program and EOIs for a grant to end homelessness close on 30 September 2009.
Media Release
International expert on Ending Homelessness in Sydney
Nan Roman, president and CEO of the US National Alliance to End Homelessness is currently in Sydney. Yesterday, Monday 7 September, she was the keynote speaker at a forum on planning to end homelessness.
Media Release
NSW Government Supports Common Ground
Today the NSW State Government committed to supporting the establishment of Common Ground, identifying Camperdown as the site for the first building (August 3, 2009).
General News
Affordable Housing for Life Project
Mercy Foundation supports this project through its Grants to End Homelessness (July, 2009).
General News
Clemente Campbelltown End-of-Course celebration
An end of course celebration for the first round of students from Clemente Australia’s Campbelltown arm was held at the St Vincent De Paul Nagle Centre recently.
General News
Homelessness and Evidence Based Practices
Using ‘evidence based’ practices and services are about ensuring that what we do to assist people who are homeless is effective
General News
Inquiry into homelessness and low cost rental accommodation
The Standing Committee on Social Issues of the NSW Parliament is currently holding an Inquiry into homelessness and low cost rental accommodation
Media Release
Mercy Foundation Social Justice Award 2009
The Mercy Foundation made its annual Social Justice Award to Catherine House, Adelaide.
Conference Presentation
Housing Now! Philip Mangano
Read the key note presentation from the Housing When? forum - Planning to End Homelessness by Mr Philip Mangano, Executive Director of the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness
Conference Presentation
Common Ground NYC & Project 50
Listen to Ms Rosanne Haggerty’s video conference presentation and Q&A session from the Housing When? forum on 2 April 2009. Rosanne is the President and Founder of Common Ground in New York City.
Conference Presentation
The Opportunities Now
Felicity Reynolds, the CEO of the Mercy Foundation, shares ‘the evidence and the opportunities now’ at the Housing When? forum on Thursday 2 April 2009
Conference Presentation
Housing When? - The Evidence
The Mercy Foundation and the City of Sydney recently hosted a one day forum that explored and discussed evidence based practice for solving homelessness in other parts of the world and in Australia. Read and listen to the presentations here.
Conference Presentation
Critical Time Intervention in a Housing First approach
The Critical Time Intervention (CTI) approach was originally designed to prevent homelessness among people suffering from severe mental illness who are exiting institutions such as correctional facilities and hospitals.
General News
Turning Research Into Solutions
An article by Frank Kosa in the March-April 2009 edition of Miller-McCune Magazine regarding solving chronic homelessness. It refers to the pioneering work of Mr Philip Mangano and Dr Sam Tsemberis, who were guest speakers at the Housing When? forum
General News
Housing When? - one day forum
Evidence based practice for solving homelessness. One day forum on Thursday 2 April 2009.
General News
Critical Time Intervention - 2 x 1 day workshops
'Critical Time Intervention' in a 'Housing First' approach: The prevention of homelessness amongst people exiting institutions. 2 x one day workshops with Rokus Loopik. BOTH DATES NOW FULL
Media Release
Social Justice is about ending homelessness
The CEO of the Mercy Foundation, Felicity Reynolds, has invited all Australians to remember that social justice is about ending homelessness. “Today is World Day of Social Justice - the first time this UN declared day will be observed and I invite people
General News
Victorian bushfires
The Board and staff of the Mercy Foundation extend their condolences to those in rural Victoria who have been affected by the recent devastating bushfires. Our sympathy goes out to those who have lost loved ones in this tragedy.
General News
World Day of Social Justice is 20 February 2009
This is the first time this UN declared day will be observed. Join the Mercy Foundation in using this day to remind us all that homelessness, especially chronic homeless, remains a disgrace in Australia.
Media Release
New money to homeless must be spent effectively
Congratulations to the Federal government. The announcement in late December that the Federal government will contribute significant additional funds to reduce homelessness in Australia has been welcomed by the Mercy Foundation.
Media Interview
Welfare agencies embrace billion dollars for beds for homeless
Welfare groups have welcomed the Federal Government's plan to halve the number of homeless in Australia and find beds for all of those sleeping rough by 2020. Report from ABC Radio.
Media Release
Homelessness - Not just for Christmas
Common Ground Sydney has urged business, government and the community to make the ending of homelessness a priority for the whole year and not just the Festive Season
General News
20:20 Vision
The City of Sydney and the Mercy Foundation co-hosted a forum with guest speaker Joe McGarry who has 40 years experience of homelessness. 20 years as a homeless person in London and 20 years in management roles with homeless charities in UK and Ireland.
Conference Presentation
Ending Homelessness
Felicity Reynolds presents ‘ending homelessness to the Catholic Healthcare Annual Conference and the Inner Sydney Regional Council for Social Development AGM, November 2008
Published Article
Homeless will get a place to call their own
The highly successful launch of Common Ground Sydney was covered by SBS television news, the Sydney Morning Herald, the Daily Telegraph, a number of local Sydney papers, on radio by ABC 702, 2UE and 2SER, and in Parity, Australia’s Homeless Journal.
Published Article
Ending Homelessness - A new focus for the Mercy Foundation
The Mercy Foundation has been an advocate for many groups of people and has provided financial support for the implementation of projects covering a wide range of social justice initiatives.
Published Article
What gets measured gets done!
The National Alliance to End Homelessness in the USA have developed a toolkit for performance measurement for ending homelessness
Media Release
Ending Homelessness - Philip Mangano visits Sydney
Mr Philip Mangano, Executive Director of the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness, was visiting Sydney for Schizophrenia Awareness Week, May 2008.
Conference Presentation
10 year plans to end chronic homelessness
Felicity Reynolds presents a critique of ‘10 year plans to end chronic homelessness’, at the National Homelessness Conference in Adelaide, May 2008.
Published Article
Are they really working? A critique of ‘10 year plans to end homelessness’
A critique of ‘10 year plans to end chronic homelessness’, published in Parity, Australia’s Homelessness Journal, May 2008.
Conference Presentation
International Initiatives for Homelessness
Felicity Reynolds examines programs that assist vulnerable and complex chronically homeless people, at the Inner City Mental Health Conference in Sydney, April 2008.
Conference Presentation
Thinking about Supportive Housing
Felicity Reynolds discusses the costs associated with crisis care for the chronically homeless, and the benefits of supportive housing, at the launch of Parity, Australia's Homelessness Journal, March 2008 edition.
Published Article
Can Australia afford not to provide supportive housing?
A review of the costs associated with crisis care for the chronically homeless, and the benefits of supportive housing, published in Parity, Australia’s Homelessness Journal, March 2008.
Media Interview
Felicity Reynolds on ending chronic homelessness
Felicity Reynolds discusses plans to end chronic homelessness and the work of Common Ground, an organisation based in NY, on 2NSB Community Radio.
General News
Home at Last?
A radical new approach to helping the homeless. A documentary courtesy of NOW on PBS featuring Dr Sam Tsemberis and Mr Philip Mangano, shown by Mr Rokus Loopik at the Housing When? forum in Sydney on Thursday 2 April 2009.
