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In August we launched Phase Three of our Journey to Social Inclusion (J2SI) program, which will work with 180 people over five years to attain and maintain housing, build independence and break the cycle of homelessness.
The next phase will be delivered through Victoria’s first Social Impact Investment, a bold financing model which brings together government, investors, philanthropy and Sacred Heart Mission to share the risk of achieving outcomes for clients with the aim of achieving positive social change.
We spoke with Claire Kruger, who moved from the Phase Two team to become the Senior Case Manager in the J2SI Phase Three team.
“I really believe in the J2SI model – there is nothing else like it in the sector,” Claire says.
“It gives us a rare opportunity to work with people who need long-term support to secure and maintain their housing, and I know it works because I have seen the results already in Phase Two.”
Claire says while the funding has changed for Phase Three, the clients will still experience the same proven, evidence-based program, with more partnerships across a range of services.
“We have started to think ‘outside the box’ to address the shortage in housing,” she says.
“In addition to working with housing partners to access permanent housing, we are using private head leading to secure properties for our clients in the private rental market where they can stay until their social housing offer comes through.”
“We are only a few weeks into the program and we already have two offers of housing for our clients – these are people who haven’t had secure accommodation for a long time, so it’s really exciting.
“We are also extending to the northern and western regions of Melbourne, which means we can support more people in need across Melbourne.”
During her time at Sacred Heart Mission, Claire has seen these partnerships develop through the success of the J2SI program.
“Many of our clients need to address a range of other challenges which may have been impacting on their housing situation, such as legal issues or mental and physical health issues,” she says.
“Services want to work with our clients because they know that we are here long-term, to support them.”
“In Phase Three, we can draw on these strong partnerships to get even better outcomes for our clients.”
The Phase Three team are now working with 60 clients with a history of chronic homelessness, and has already secured housing for six clients. Over the coming months, the team hopes to secure housing for all 60 participants. The team will work intensively with these clients to ensure they can maintain their housing and, over the three-year period, break the cycle of homelessness.
Here you can find out more about the J2SI program, including results from Phase Two of the program.
Photo credit: Bubble Productions
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