Background
Who are we?
Lions Emergency Accommodation Centre Inc. (LEAC) is an incorporated body, a part of the Lions International Organisation, and supported and managed by Lions and Lioness clubs from Districts 201Q3 and 201Q4. The Management Committee members consist of Lions and Lionesses and can also include Special Members.
What do we do?
Accommodation based support
LEAC Inc has been working with people who are homeless since 1979. Funded under the Supported Accommodation Assistance Program (SAAP) since 1985 and supported by Lions and Lioness Clubs, it offers a multi-target generalist crisis service in the Sunshine Coast Region.
LEAC Inc receives referrals from a large range of government, community and domestic violence services both interstate and intrastate. It currently has a broad range of housing options including a recently established purpose built shelter for women and children escaping Domestic and Family Violence, which comprises of 4×2 and 2×3 self contained units, including one specialised disability unit. As Domestic and Family Violence is the primary presenting issue for referrals to the Service, “Peggy’s Place” strives to meet the specific needs of women and children leaving Domestic and Family Violence and positions LEAC Inc as a key stakeholder in the region in relation to this prevalent social issue.
Under Department of Housing’s Crisis Accommodation Program (CAP), LEAC Inc also has 7 community houses in the Nambour area targeted at familes who are homeless and requiring support to re-establish themselves within the community. Additionally, LEAC Inc has recently secured what was formerly known as “Louisa House,” as a medium term (up to six months) accommodation option for single women, small families and single men who have overnight or extended contact with their children. In doing so LEAC Inc strives to address gaps in accommodation options for these target groups. LEAC Inc also works in partnership with the Sunshine Coast Regional Housing Company, to provide unfunded support to a Transition House in the Nambour area as an exit point from SAAP for a client family for up to 2 years.
Non-accommodation based support
LEAC Inc is registered as a Charitable Organisationin its own right and has PBI status. As well as providing an accommodation based SAAP service, the agency provides non-accommodation based support including: Better Start Program, Information Advocacy and Referral, Emergency Relief and an Outreach Service. A significant addition to service rovision in 2007 was the Keys to Early Intervention in Homelessness Service (K.E.I.H.S.). The focus of the service is on sustaining a person’s housing or on supporting people post crisis to sustain housing. K.E.I.H.S. has been funded for three years and is a
natural addition to our service delivery continuum.
Our Family /Child Support Services
Professional staff of LEAC Inc actively support individuals and families through their crisis and facilitates their transition into independent living in the community under a client-centred model of service delivery. LEAC Inc recognises the specific needs of children accessing the service and provides Child Support Workers as well as Family Support Workers to deliver support to clients. Staff are employed primarily under a subsidy arrangement with the Department of Communities through SAAP and with further financial support coming through Lions and Lioness Clubs and individuals and organisations within the community. With the untiring support of the Lions and Lioness Clubs in the region, LEAC Inc has emerged as a leader in service provision within the community.
What do we strive to be?
LEAC Inc actively participates in networks and works in partnership with key organisations on the Sunshine Coast to enhance outcomes for service users. LEAC Inc also contributes to community education about Homelessness and Domestic and Family Violence and to the social development of the region. The Service is committed to addressing the structural factors that contribute to marginalise people from full social, cultural, economic, recreational and political participation in their community.
