Community Housing Provider

Pathfinders is a Tier 3 Registered Community Housing Provider. Pathfinders vision for the future is to acquire its own social housing portfolio so that we can better deliver under a housing continuum model for our clients and communities which we serve.

Pathfinders has made the strategic and financial decision to invest heavily in the expansion of its supported housing capacity. The homelessness crisis continues to worsen, and Pathfinders feels that it is uniquely placed to fill a gap in the provision of holistic homelessness services in the areas we work.

Safe, secure and affordable housing is central to a person’s health and well-being, to their ability to enjoy and take part in community life, and the ability to work and participate in education and training. Being unable to access appropriate housing can contribute towards isolation, a loss of independence and in some cases can lead to a need for residential care, to hospital admission or to homelessness.

Pathfinders knows that just giving someone a house is not enough. There are members of every community who require more tailored housing, with a degree of support attached, whether this is on a temporary or permanent basis. They may be vulnerable due to the relationships they have, their age or ill health, have a long-standing illness or disability, or lack the skills to manage a tenancy and need support to maintain their independence.

For some people, supported housing may be their last step on the housing ladder as they grow older and look for a home which meets their changing needs. For others, such as young people, supported housing may be a step along the way to fully independent living, or may form a vital part of a planned journey into mainstream housing and out of homelessness.

The Armidale Youth Homelessness Support Service first opened its doors in 1986 and is considered the foundation of Pathfinders Limited. The service provided crisis accommodation for young people between the ages of 16 and 25 and was funded under the old Crisis Accommodation Program. It was a simple yet impactful model for homeless young people in Armidale.

Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data from the 2016 Census reported that the total number of homeless persons in NSW increased from an estimated 23,041 in 2001 to an estimated 37,715 in 2016. NSW recorded the largest percentage increase in the number of homeless (37.3%) of any State or Territory between 2011 and 2016. The rate of homelessness also increased, from 40.8 per 10,000 persons in 2011 to 50.4 in 2016. There was a 116% increase in homelessness for people between the ages of 16 and 24.

Pathfinders focuses on sustainable housing outcomes as well as immediate support needs by providing a balance between prevention and early intervention, crisis responses and post crisis support within a stable housing environment.

Pathfinders has offices across the New England and North West Tablelands at Moree, Inverell, Glen Innes, Tamworth and Armidale and the Mid North Coast at Kempsey, Taree, Port Macquarie and Coffs Harbour and will continue to develop our social housing portfolio.