Supportive Housing Program gets the GreenLight

17 October 2018

Through a new collaborative partnership, people who have recently experienced homelessness across inner-Melbourne will be better supported to stay in their home so they can get their lives back on track and stay off the streets, thanks to a $4.5 million supportive housing program.

Sacred Heart Mission, VincentCare Victoria and the Salvation Army Adult Services are thrilled to have been successful in the recent rough sleeper tender submission for the ‘GreenLight Supportive Housing Program‘.

Bringing together decades of experience working with people experiencing homelessness across inner Melbourne, Cathy Humphrey, Sacred Heart Mission CEO says the GreenLight Supportive Housing Program allows for a multi-disciplinary approach over the next two years.

“Through this consortia we will be able to provide more assistance to those who have been sleeping rough by assisting them to maintain their housing, support their recovery and enhance their social connection, which are important, proven steps to help someone stay housed,” Cathy says.

“The new GreenLight team will deliver individual support to people who have experienced homelessness once they are housed – building on the good work already being done by the St Kilda Intensive Outreach Team, which has already helped 43 people access housing and support pathways out of rough sleeping this year.”

The GreenLight Supportive Housing Program will provide tailored brief intervention and case management services through a multi-disciplinary team, including case managers, mental health clinicians, and peer support settlement workers to 684 people experiencing primary homelessness across the inner Melbourne area; with a focus on assisting people to stay housed.

The additional funding, thanks to the Labor State Government, is part of the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Action Plan, which has allocated $17 million to establish assertive outreach and supportive housing teams, and 20 new modular homes in areas of high need across the state.

This initiative will expand Sacred Heart Mission’s current client service delivery to people experiencing rough sleeping across SHM and will be located under Individual Planned Support and Engagement Hubs.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Housing, Disability and Ageing Martin Foley:

“We want to break the cycle of homelessness in St Kilda and across Victoria – that’s why we’re working in a number of different ways to help vulnerable people get back on their feet.”

“Through these assertive outreach and supportive housing programs we’re intervening early and also helping people build the necessary life skills to maintain housing, once they have a roof over their head again.”

Quotes attributable to VincentCare, CEO, John Blewonski:

“VincentCare brings to the table the sector-leading Single Client Record technology, which ensures rough sleepers, who are living with past traumas and complex needs, only have to tell their story once. Each member of the consortia will use this technology in what is a first for homelessness and housing agencies.”

“We are thrilled to be able to provide the housing for the GreenLight program in VincentCare’s new, $47m world-class Ozanam House accommodation and homelessness resource centre. The centre provides a one-stop-shop for rough sleepers needs, whether they are personal, financial, technological, medical, allied health or accommodation.”

Quotes attributable to The Salvation Army, Adult Services, General Manager Jane Barnes:

“The Salvation Army is thrilled to be a part of this exciting new project that will deliver housing outcomes for people who have been sleeping rough through targeted individual supports that work to remove blockages and barriers and create stable housing and an end to rough sleeping.”

“We know by our work on Melbourne Street to Home that the provision of stable housing to vulnerable people can lead to a significant improvement in physical and mental health as well as general well-being.”