A service that helps people who are homeless and living in a car by giving them a safe place to sleep, wash their clothes and have a shower will open its new facilities next week.
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Macquarie Care's Our Backyard initiative, based at Lake Macquarie, provides a private space for people who are sleeping rough in their cars to park and spend the night without fear of being moved-on or finding themselves in danger.
Our Backyard program director Pietro Di Girolamo, who spent his final day in the role on Friday after four years before moving on to a position with Hammond Care, said the organisation had been able to buy the demountable buildings outright.
He said they included a separate hot shower, toilet, fully-functional kitchen with a microwave, sink, hot water urn and fridge as well as a space with a washing machine and dryer.
The new facilities even have free wifi for people staying on site.
The transition from the old kitchen and bathroom facilities to the new amenities was completed with the help of a government grant along with the aid of local businesses including Impact Building at Warners Bay and Macquarie Bathrooms.
Meanwhile, Macquarie Care has been providing fresh food and some staples between 2pm and 4pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Macquarie Hall.
The food is donated by OzHarvest, Survivors R Us and SecondBite.
The hall is located at the back of Macquarie Life Church on the corner of Macquarie and Wentworth roads at Cardiff.
Our Backyard supported 113 people last year and helped 45 of those find safe, secure and stable accommodation.
Anyone sleeping rough in a car who is interested in using the service can call Our Backyard's intake line on 0402 155 586.
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