While many activities closed in the COVID lockdown, the laundry and shower service at Junction 142 in Katoomba Street boomed.
Service manager Stephen Bradley said the demand for the free service for homeless people and others in need just kept growing.
"Over the last year, monthly use of the laundry has increased six-fold and the shower use has doubled.
"In total there have been more than 1400 uses of the laundry and almost 700 of the showers. We have also provided more than 1000 parcels of toiletries, clothing, bedding and food."
As a comparison there were 21 laundry users in July 2020, but by July 2021 there were 155.
Mr Bradley said the free shower and laundry service was critical because it is the only one in the Mountains.
"People come for that and then we can help them in other ways as well."
The service runs Wednesday to Friday from 10am to 4pm.
"Lockdown requirements meant strict protocols, particularly relating to hygiene and social distancing. As manager of the facility I have liaised with local police ... to ensure that the facility adheres to lockdown regulations," he said.
On the day the Gazette called there were eight waiting to use the facilities - including a man and his dog waiting for a shower. Mr Bradley deep cleans the facility after every use and is personally relying on Centrelink emergency funding to survive.
"I hope council will come to the table again," he said, recognising more permanent federal or state funds were needed.
The service was originally funded with income from the Junction 142 op shop and markets which ceased in the first lockdown. It has been maintained through volunteer labour and three emergency grants from Blue Mountains City Council. The last grant ran out in June and Mr Bradley has been working voluntarily since.
Cedar Takeaway in Katoomba has been donating disposable masks and gloves for the service's operations and for clients' personal use.
John Cox, Chair of the Junction 142 committee, said they were committed to continuing the service.
"The health and social benefits the service provides are critical. Although we have been funded for specific maintenance work by generous donors, we are desperately short of finances. We are actively exploring various funding sources that enables the project to continue."
Ward 1 Cr Kerry Brown has appealed for council to again assist with a grant that will fully fund the service for nine months.
Junction 142 has an annual budget for 24 hours a week for a manager/cleaner, plus power, water and supplies of $37,260. The council has $27,514 unallocated in its Community Assistance Grants from the last financial year due to groups closing normal services.
"I am proposing we allocate the funds leftover from the last round of community assistance grants that were not distributed because so many community activities had stopped," Cr Brown said.
"This will give Junction 142 time to seek long-term funding from the state and federal government and hopefully also restore their income streams."
She also wants council to write to elected members of Parliament, Susan Templeman and Trish Doyle, on behalf of Junction 142, for assistance to secure ongoing government funding.
The service also helps the homeless with clothing, bedding and food packages and has been liaising with a chemist to enable COVID-19 vaccinations.
Junction 142 has also put in an application this month for a small amount of funding from Bendigo Bank, Katoomba. The matter is expected to be debated at the council meeting on Tuesday [October 26].
