Dad's Place hits home with fathers
Robyn Powell
Sunday, 25 June 2006

HOMELESS fathers will be able to maintain a relationship with their
children under a new program offering dads short-term accommodation to
get together with the family.

In an ACT first, the Dad's Place program will provide two properties
in Gungahlin where dads can go for two or three nights to see their
children.

Canberra Fathers and Children Service executive officer Anthony
Rochester said many homeless fathers did not see their children
because they had no home to take them to.

"[The program] allows them to maintain a quality of relationship with
their children while addressing their homelessness crisis," he said.

Mr Rochester said demand was high but it was not yet known how many
dads would be on the waiting list for the service, which will start in
six weeks.

Last year about 140 dads and 300 children were cared for in supported
accommodation under the Canberra Fathers and Children Service.

Under the new program, dads who do not have the skills to care for
their family will be shown how to cook and be provided with support
such as ideas for games.

"There is an expectation that after separation there will be two fully
functional households, but the financial reality is that many dads are
barely keeping their lips above water," Mr Rochester said.

Although some men "couch surfed", staying with family and friends when
they found themselves homeless, having children in these situations
was not ideal.

While some may question the ability of dads who don't have a home to
look after their children, Mr Rochester argued accommodation was only
part of equation.

When they didn't have accommodation, what followed was often conflict
and animosity in what was already a stressful environment.

"Dad's Place is taking the heat out of situation while allowing them
to maintain their relationship with their children."