Throughout July 2019, 10% of fees generated from any new and existing Wills, Power of Attorney or Enduring Guardian drafted at Kenny Spring Solicitors in Bathurst was donated to Veritas House.

This year the Winter Wills initiative raised $1000 for the purchase of Independent Living Packs containing cleaning products, household items, basic toiletries and non-perishable food. The packs will be provided to local young people being supported by Veritas to transition from crisis accommodation to independent living and will help reduce the financial impact associated with setting up a home for the first time. The packs become ever more important at a time such as Christmas.

Veritas assists some 150 young people who are homeless or at risk of experiencing homelessness in the Bathurst region each year. For many young people experiencing homelessness that stay at the youth refuge and who cannot return safely to their homes, it can be difficult to secure a lease in the private rental market with no prior rental history and limited finances. To help address this in Bathurst, Veritas owns a one-bedroom flat which it operates as a transitional youth housing property, leasing the property at below market rent to young people who are transitioning from homelessness to independence; and Veritas case workers support them over a 3-6 month period to obtain furnishings, secure ongoing income, learn budgeting and tenancy management skills and develop a rental history. At the end of their lease, Veritas provides a reference and assists the young person to secure long-term private rental accommodation through advocacy and support.

Veritas does not have access to a similar property in Orange and this is making it increasingly difficult to address the cycle of disadvantage for local young people, particularly as Orange has one of the lowest rate of rental properties available in NSW. As a result, Veritas has launched a fundraising appeal, to raise $250,000 to purchase a Transitional Youth Housing property in Orange to assist young people who are exiting crisis accommodation to transition into independent living. If you would like to make a tax deductible donation visit our Orange Transitional Housing Appeal page.