Stepping into the role held for 20 years by the late Gary Reid last year, Semple said she started ringing around to establish networks for homeless support.
'Many agencies have complex referral processes or they can only work with one aspect of a person's situation.
"Tina indicated a willingness to work with me straight away and together we've been able to give people immediate help when they need it."
The Out of Gate programme is designed to reduce re-offending by partnering short serving prisoners with a support person to help them address their reintegration needs.
Out of Gate started with a trial in late 2013 and since then more than 6,000 offenders have been referred to the service.
The women have identified over 30 people without homes living around Whanganui.
"It's a matter of taking a walk with your eyes open," says Hansen.
"There are often feelings of shame about their situations and some don't want to admit they are homeless."
Semple says some will say they are waiting to meet friends or just going for a walk when it's obvious they have all their things with them.
They say most of the people they work with are men and there are often a whole raft of problems as well as a lack of housing.
"There may be mental health problems, debt problems, family problems - things that mean the individual doesn't fit neatly into one box," says Semple.
"What we try to do is help with their immediate needs so that their physical health doesn't deteriorate."
Whanganui Work and Income staff have been brilliant they say.
"There are designated staff who work with us making sure people are on the right benefits and help with things like debt consolidation."
Annabell's job title is administration assistant but she will often drive people to one of the Whanganui Housing Trust's premises where they are able to take showers and change their clothes.
"What we would really like to do is establish a hub - a place where people can shower, do laundry, access budget advice and there could be visiting counsellors and nurses," says Hansen.
"We would love to get private sponsorship to set up a place like that."
The women say they have seen some wonderful success stories amongst the people they are supporting and with better resources, they would see more of them.
"If more local businesses and individuals are able to match Barber Town's example, that will make a big difference."
Barber town owner Matt Gilmore said he is happy to have been of help and would do it again.
"It was Monica who did the haircut and It is a pleasure to think it made a real difference to someone."
