Journey to Social Inclusion (J2SI)

J2SI Phase Three is currently underway (2018 – 2026) and incorporates learnings from Phase Two and the Pilot as part of our practice of continuous improvement.

180 people (60 per year for three years) are funded by a Social Impact Investment (SII) with the Victorian Government. The J2SI SII is an outcomes-based funding mechanism bringing together government, Sacred Heart Mission, philanthropy and an investor. It is demonstrating the efficacy of replicating J2SI on a larger scale (40 in original pilot to 180 participants in the SII) and paving the way for the replication of the model in other states and territories across Australia.

Across 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023 Sacred Heart Mission exceeded its payment targets for all three cohorts of 60 participants with

• 90 per cent of J2SI clients in stable housing (and did not access crisis accommodation except for family violence reasons), and
• the use of ‘hospital bed days’ by clients cut by 60 per cent compared to before they commenced the J2SI program.

120 people (60 per year for two years) are funded by a payment by results contract with the Victorian Government with service delivery from October 2021. This contract builds on the results being achieved under the SII and does not require an external investor.

Key referral partners for J2SI Phase Three are Launch Housing Southbank, VincentCare Ozanam House & Homeless Resource Centre, The Salvation Army Australia Flagstaff, Open Doors, and our very own Sacred Heart Mission Central, the Women’s House and Homefront Crisis Accommodation.

Based on findings from the Pilot, the program was refined and expanded to 60 participants from Melbourne’s inner-north, through partnerships with VincentCare (Ozanam House) and St Mary’s House of Welcome. Phase Two ran from 2016-2019.

Our final-year evaluation, conducted by The Centre for Social Impact at the University of Western Australia, found J2SI Phase Two was highly successful in supporting people to exit homelessness through access to housing.

When we started working with 60 people in 2016, 93% were experiencing homeless at referral, and 7% were at immediate risk of homelessness. We provided 88% of J2SI Phase Two participants with permanent housing and at the end of our three-year program 82% of those remained housed.

Participants also saw improved mental health, increased employment, and reduced substance use which led to a reduction in the use of public services and created significant cost savings to the State Government.

After three years, reduced use of public services by J2SI participants was estimated to have created savings to the State 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.

J2SI Phase Two was funded by the Victorian Government, philanthropy and Sacred Heart Mission.

The J2SI Pilot (2009-2012) was delivered to 40 clients in St Kilda, evaluated against a randomised control trial group using conventional services.

It delivered impressive results and set a new benchmark for addressing long-term homelessness in Australia.

A study undertaken a year after service delivery came to an end, showed 75% of participants remained in stable housing after four years, 80% had seen a decline in the need for health services.

The Australian Government acknowledged the pilot with a National Homelessness Services Award for excellence and innovation in 2013.

It has also received a Council to Homeless Persons award for excellence in ending homelessness for adults.