Fletcher Street Cottage Opens to Support Unhoused

Refurbished Fletcher Street to Provide Breakfast, Laundry, Showers and Support

An official opening ceremony was held on March 24 2022 to celebrate the opening of Fletcher Street Cottage. In response to the growing housing crisis in the Byron Shire, the homeless hub will provide support for people at risk of homelessness and those already sleeping rough. It will be managed by the Byron Community Centre, with services opening in April to assist our community’s most vulnerable.

“Byron Shire already had the highest level of homelessness outside of Sydney and Melbourne in Australia, then house prices doubled in the Northern Rivers over the last two years,“ says Louise O’Connell, General Manager. “This meant a whole new demographic of people are now at risk of or experiencing homelessness.

At Byron Community Centre we have a long history of supporting our community's most vulnerable, but we really needed a dedicated space to offer help to those experiencing homelessness. With Byron Shire Council providing the Fletcher Street Cottage building and Creative Capital then renovating it, we can now offer a one-stop-shop for help and referrals.”

Fostering a Safe Space for People at Risk

Fletcher Street Cottage is a welcoming, safe and respectful place for rough sleepers to come and enjoy a meal, have a shower and do laundry, find connections and access broader support. Appointments will be available with community workers, alongside access to visiting services including Social Futures, Momentum and the Homelessness Health Outreach Team.

“We are so pleased to be moving into such a beautiful space and opening Fletcher Street Cottage for service delivery,” says Jenny Ryan, Homelessness Projects Manager. “We are a team of six staff and have many new volunteers who will support our work.

People in our community who are sleeping rough are examples of where our structures and systems fail. These vulnerable people often face complex issues and are in need of basic care and support. Fletcher Street Cottage will provide these basic relief opportunities and be a safe haven where people can connect with supporting staff to meet their immediate needs.” 

How Local Funding Saved Fletcher Street Cottage

The opening of Byron’s homeless hub was only made possible through the generous support of community donations and volunteers. A community fundraising campaign to renovate the cottage was a huge success, raising $400,000 from 200 donors including individuals and local businesses. Creative Capital managed the redesign and renovation of Fletcher Street Cottage with the support of local consultants and tradies, who donated their time for the cause.

“Now with the increased need for support considering the flood disaster and that the housing crisis is now a catastrophe, we expect to support more people than ever before,” adds Louise. “We are just so grateful to all who helped make Fletcher Street Cottage a reality: Council, Creative Capital, the tradespeople who volunteered and the many donors who funded this space and its staff.”

Having cut the ribbon at the opening ceremony, Byron Shire Mayor Michael Lyon says the opening of Fletcher Street Cottage is an incredible example of community will, generosity and collaboration. 

“Behind the walls and façade of this cottage is an army of people who have come together with their vision, their skills and the much-needed funding necessary to make a real difference to our community’s most vulnerable people,” says the Mayor.

“There’s never been a more critical time for these services and now the recent flood event has put an even more intense spotlight on housing issues in the region and homelessness in the Byron Shire. Council is very proud to be a part of this real, on the ground solution for homelessness and rough sleeping in Byron Bay.”

Fletcher Street Cottage services and hours

Fletcher Street Cottage will be open from Monday to Friday, with a breakfast service from 7am to 9am, access to showers and laundry from 7am to 12pm, and additional office support from 9am - 12pm.

“We know that our service users often feel marginalised and discriminated against in society, so to be able to provide a safe and welcoming space for people to access five days a week is incredible,” says Dayna Suchoparek, Community Support Worker.

“It's going to be a place where people can come and get some of their basic needs met whilst accessing support and social connection to help increase their wellbeing and progress towards their goals. Having a dedicated hub where people feel comfortable, seen and heard will inevitably have a huge positive impact on their lives.”

 There will be an Open Day on Saturday 14th May 2022 with tours of Fletcher Street Cottage, an opportunity to meet the team and information about the services.

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