The original RFNSW Central Sydney service was established in 1973 when Federal funding became available for the organisation to establish two halfway houses in the Central Sydney area. It was the first service provided by the Richmond Fellowship of NSW.

Since then the service has expanded and now provides services to 97 people in the area. The services are funded by the Department of Ageing, Disability and Homecare (DADHC) and the Central Sydney Area Health Service (CSAHS).

The Sydney Metropolitan service operates five distinct levels of support:

Complex Support
 (24 hours / 7 days)
High Support 
(8 - 16 hours / 5 - 7 days)
Intensive Rehabilitation
 (8 - 16 hours / 5 days)
18 Months / 2 years program
Medium Support
 (Drop in 5 - 7 days)
Low Support
 (Drop in 5 days or less on needs basis)

In 1997 RFNSW successfully tendered to establish a supported accommodation program for 10 young people in the Penrith/Emu Plains locality funded by the Wentworth Area Health Service. The Young People’s Program has since grown to support up to 13 young people and provides three levels of support.

Click here to download our Young People's Program brochure

In addition to the Young People’s Program, funding from the Western Sydney Area Health Service - Western Cluster as part of the Housing Accommodation Support Initiative (HASI) created an additional 21 supported accommodation places in the Penrith local government area.

This program's target group is clients who require intensive support to achieve independence. The program is run in partnership with the Wentworth Area Mental Health Service and the Wentworth Community Housing Association.

These programs provide Intensive Support, High Support, Medium Support, Low Support and Outreach/drop in support on a needs basis (a minimum would generally be one visit per week).

In 2003, RFNSW successfully tendered to establish an intensive supported accommodation service as part of the Housing Accommodation Support Initiative (HASI) for 12 clients in the Western Sydney area. The number of clients has now grown to 22. This program is provided in partnership with the Western Sydney Area Health Service - Western Cluster, St. George Community Housing and the Western Sydney Community Housing Association.

The program provides Intensive Support up to 16 hours per day.

RFNSW Sydney Metropolitan Area Office

Unit 24, 11-21 Underwood Road

Homebush NSW 2140

PO Box 3161

Strathfield North NSW 2140

Tel 02 9701 3660

Fax 02 9701 3665