Maynard House Crisis Accommodation

Hi my name is Kate Sefton and, along with my colleague

Mason Edström, we have a mission to help the most vulnerable members of our society. 

Mason, who is owner and director of Youth Abilities Community Support Services, works closely with 2 young people, as their support worker - both of these young people have experienced homelessness and without support would still be sleeping rough. He wants to help so many more. 

We are in an extreme situation currently as a nation due to the ongoing impact of COVID-19 and the availability of suitable accommodation - both long term and in crisis support - is at an all-time low .

We both have seen an opportunity to rent budget motel rooms on a weekly basis to offer a safe house until long term availability is found.

Our goal is to own a motel we can devote completely to the vulnerable, providing manageable accommodation, a sense of community and links to services that enhance the quality of life for the individual.

This fundraiser is our beginning to be able to assist more

people and to start the process of owning a private property that the homeless can afford. Both state and federal governments are failing our homeless … people are falling through the cracks and the money is not being spent in the right place. There’s a water park proposed for Noreuil Park Albury while people are sleeping under the barbecue shelters in the same park. Something’s not right with our humanity. 

We believe a motel model is the way forward for many who otherwise face a life of inequality in harsh living environments stripping away their identity and self worth.