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Homes First is Sacred Heart Mission’s newest supportive housing program. Funded by the Victorian Government, the program provides support to people sleeping rough and experiencing persistent homelessness. Support is flexible and tailored, for a duration of three years, and aims to provide pathways into long-term housing. The program hopes to aid 500 households across Victoria over the next three years to access long-term housing and support.
Naomi Anderson works as the program coordinator for SHMs Homes Frist Program, alongside six Supportive Case Managers and a Program Manager. The team is newly based in Boronia, as this is a central spot for the areas they work in – Maroondah, Knox and Yarra Ranges – making it easy to reach participants in any direction.
We sat down with Naomi to learn more about the program and the difference they’re making in Melbourne’s outer east.
We accepted 30 initial participants and will support a total of 56 over five years.
One of the main differences between J2SI and Homes First is that the referrals can come from any organisation, rather than only accepting referrals from specific agencies.
Homes First packages are allocated through a panel process. This means external referral agencies meet with us and Housing Victoria to review referrals and decide together who should be offered a Homes First package.
Additionally, participants need to select Knox, Maroondah or Yarra Ranges as one of their three preferred locations when applying for housing through the Victorian Housing Register. J2SI don’t have such a geographical location requirement.
The Homes First program operates in eight regions across Victoria and Sacred Heart Mission is allocated to outer eastern Melbourne. The program lets us expand into a new region, helping us connect with eastern networks and build ongoing partnerships to better support the community there.
We work exceptionally closely and collaboratively. Homes Victoria representatives have taken an active part in planning, guiding and supporting the program from inception. We are also working closely with referring agencies in the east. This includes Homelessness Entry and Access Points, material aid services, Centrelink representatives and Eastern Health services and programs.
We have had great success with property offers so far. One-third of our first 30 participants have already been offered a social housing property and completed the sign-up.
Things are moving quickly and we are thrilled to be on track to meet Homes Victoria’s target of offering participants housing within their first 12 months in the program.
We are also proud to be working closely with services in the outer east. We have built great connections, participated in network meetings and training, and have been welcomed into the region with open arms.
For me, working with the team as it’s come together and settled in has been the absolute highlight. Each Supportive Housing Case Manager brings unique skills and knowledge, which has helped us grow as a team and establish our place in the region.
They’re deeply dedicated to supporting participants and deliver high-quality, tailored support. It’s been a real delight to see the creative and flexible ways they’re working and doing outreach during this early stage of the program.
The team have remarked how rewarding it is to support participants through all kinds of wins – whether that’s connecting with a much-needed service, move into a property or slowly getting to know participants and building trust.
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