Homes First Program

Homes First supports individuals and households with complex support needs who are currently homeless and have experienced rough sleeping/primary homelessness over an extended timeframe.

As part of being accepted into Sacred Heart Mission Homes First program, external agency Homes Victoria will endeavor to provide a long-term housing offer via the Victorian Housing Register. The target timeframe by Homes Victoria for an offer is approximately 12 months. The Homes First Program is a support only program and cannot provide emergency accommodation, food or material aid. Participants will be assisted with various aids through collaborative work with our partnership services and entry points.

Developed by Homelessness Australia, Homes First Program adopts the Housing First Principles:

• People have a right to a home
• Housing and support are separated
• Flexible support for a 3-year timeframe
• Choice and self determination
• Active engagement without coercion
• Recovery-orientated practice
• Social and community inclusion
• Harm-reduction approach

The Labor Government is investing $48 million to help 500 households over the next three years access to long-term housing and support.

Sacred Heart Mission, along with four other support providers have been selected to deliver the program in eight areas across the state where there is a need more support services for people experiencing homelessness or at risk of sleeping rough.