New partnership secures $4.5 million investment to eradicate rough sleeping in Melbourne

VincentCare CEO John Blewonski said he was thrilled to be working towards the eradication of rough sleeping in Melbourne with such strong partners and supported by the State Government.

“VincentCare will provide the housing for the GreenLight program in our new, $47m world-class Ozanam House accommodation and homelessness resource centre,” John said.

The new client-centred development provides a one-stop-shop for rough sleepers needs, whether they are personal, financial, technological, medical, allied health or accommodation.

“Having a facility like this, accessible to rough sleepers, brings to life our evidence-based, trauma-informed Homelessness to Recovery Model, that ensures people are engaged as soon as they walk in the door to meet their most basic needs and for long enough for them to stabilise to be able to set goals around longer-term housing,” John said.

This model has been successfully piloted at VincentCare’s current Ozanam House facility and is proven to enable and empower rough sleepers to sustain long-term housing. During the pilot unplanned exits halved and those that exited with case management plan in place increased by almost 20%.

The consortia will also benefit from VincentCare’s sector-leading Single Client Record technology, which ensures rough sleepers, who are living with past traumas and complex needs, only have to tell their story once.

“Each member of the consortia will use this client-centred technology in what is a first for homelessness and housing agencies. It will ensure we don’t re-traumatise people coming to our services and we have a consistent approach to the client’s recovery.”

Minister for Housing, Disability and Ageing, Martin Foley, said that we want to break the cycle of homelessness in St Kilda and across Victoria.

“We’re working in a number of different ways to help vulnerable people get back on their feet.

“Through these assertive outreach and supportive housing programs we’re intervening early and also helping people build the necessary life skills to maintain housing, once they have a roof over their head again.”

Pictured: Cathy Humphrey, Chief Executive Officer, Sacred Heart Mission; Martin Foley, Minister for Housing, Disability and Ageing; John Blewonski, Chief Executive Office, VincentCare Victoria; Jane Barnes, General Manager of Homeless and Aged Care Services, Salvation Army.