RE-CLASSIFICATION of Pete’s Place is being investigated as an option for a rent reduction after Cr Tony Judge put a motion to Council for rent exemption for the facility at City of Coffs Harbour’s Council meeting on Thursday 25 August.

Currently the rent for Pete’s Place is $10,000 a year.

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“All Councillors acknowledged the great value that Pete’s Place brings to our community, but many were concerned that a rent exemption would trigger similar requests from other social services in Coffs,” Mr Judge told News Of The Area.

Founded in 2018 as a drop-in centre for the homeless, the St Vincent de Paul operated Pete’s Place has grown into an engagement hub providing wrap-around support to increase the safety, health and wellbeing of those who utilise the facility, now averaging more than 70 people a day.

“The original motion had too many people against it, so an amendment was added to the motion which invited Pete’s Place to request a re-classification which could mean a rent reduction,” Pete’s Place Manager Anna Scott told NOTA.

“Currently we pay 25 percent of market rent; if successful this would reduce to 7.5 percent and mean an extra $7,500 (approximately) each year that can go directly to supporting the growing number of people experiencing homelessness in our region,” she said.

Councillor Judge says he will be following up on the reclassification.

“If we can make that change and save them over $7,000 a year it will make a huge difference,” Tony said.

“They will be able to engage more casual staff to help out, maybe expand their range of services and have a greater level of security over their capacity to meet the ever-increasing demand.

“Every dollar saved will go directly to improving the lives of the people they support.”

Councillors were happy to encourage Pete’s Place to pursue this option.

“In the context of a Council budget it would be a small contribution, but for the people who most need Pete’s Place it will make a huge difference,” said Tony.

Councillor Judge was shocked last year when he found that Pete’s Place was paying rent to Council.

“I visited them last year as a candidate for Council with Shadow Housing Minister Rose Jackson and Councillor Sally Townley.

“I was blown away by the number of people using the service, and also the incredible value that they provide.

“When I asked how we could help, I found that not only did Pete’s Place survive entirely on donations, but it also paid over $10,000 a year in rent to Council.

“That was when I decided that if elected, I would try to get an exemption from rent for them.”

He put the motion asking for a rent exemption to Council two weeks before the meeting as required, and publicised it on social media – with the response both heartening and overwhelming.

“So many people offered support and help.”

Many people who had never attended a Council meeting before turned up on Thursday to show support for Pete’s Place, the work it does and the people who use its services.

“It really showed what a great heart our community has,” said Tony.

By Andrea FERRARI