J2SI Evaluation and Learning Centre

Since its launch in 2009, J2SI has proven to create both social and economic benefits to participants, government and the community. 

• 85% of J2SI Pilot clients were in housing versus the control group at 41% after three years of service delivery. At the end of Phase Two, 82% of clients remained housed (J2SI data). 
• J2SI Pilot clients reported substantial improvements in their physical and mental health, with an 80% decline in average use of emergency hospital services. 
• On average, nights spent in hospital reduced by 50% for J2SI Phase Two clients and increased by 100% for the control group. 
• An increased use of employment services and willingness to work during service delivery occurred in the Pilot and Phase Two. 
• A consistent improvement in perceived social support and acceptance – two key indicators used to measure social inclusion. 
• The first eight outcome measures of Phase Three have 90% of participants in stable housing and hospital bed use reduced by 58%. 

For more than 15 years, J2SI has delivered exceptional outcomes for some of the most marginalised people in our community while reducing the high associated costs to the health, homelessness and justice systems. 

J2SI is an evidenced-based program in its third phase, which has proven results from randomised control trials. 

In Phase Two, after three years, reduced use of public services by J2SI participants was estimated to have created savings to government of $32,293 per person. For those who were receiving services from the current service system, the use of public services increased by $66,335 per person, meaning total comparative savings for J2SI participants was estimated to be $98,627 per person over the life of the program. 

For J2SI Phase Three we have used two forms of payment by results contracts negotiated with the Victorian Government.
The first contract (2018 to 2025) includes a unique funding model where the payment by results contract is supported by a Social Impact Investment combining low-cost debt and contingent grants from philanthropists. 

The second contract (2021 to 2027) requires no external investment given the strong results being achieved. 

This Journey to Social Inclusion case study, commissioned by NAB in partnership with Sacred Heart Mission and the Victorian Government, provides further details about the innovative financing mechanism behind the J2SI Phase Three Social Impact Investment. 

Sacred Heart Mission, The Salvation Army, Uniting Vic/Tas and VincentCare Victoria are delivering J2SI in Melbourne and regional Victoria from 2024 to 2029 with funding from the Victorian Government’s Early Intervention Investment Fund.  Working with Homes Victoria, we will support hundreds of people experiencing chronic homelessness to leave it behind for good. 

This is an opportunity to support an urgently needed, evidence-based program that bridges a current gap in mainstream service delivery for people who have experienced chronic homelessness. J2SI assists through intensive, long-term support which has not been available before. 

For State and Territory Governments, this is a low-risk way to fund a critical program, because savings have been demonstrated and the funding models are significantly cheaper than a traditional Social Impact Bond. Payment by results contracts allow for payments if specific desired outcomes are achieved. 

Sacred Heart Mission was the first to secure a Social Impact Investment over five years with the Victorian State Government and to then extend delivery of J2SI with a new payment by results contract with no external investment, further reducing costs. Sacred Heart Mission expects other place-based organisations to be able to do so too. 

Download more information about J2SI and our Social Impact Investment model: