Victoria is set to launch a bold initiative aimed at tackling homelessness head-on, with the introduction of the Homes First program.
Spearheaded by Minister for Housing Harriet Shing, the initiative will see $48 million invested over three years to assist 500 households in securing long-term housing and comprehensive support.
Eight reputable agencies including Melbourne City Mission, Sacred Heart Mission, Quantum Support Services, Junction Support Services, and CatholicCare Victoria have been selected to deliver the program across strategic locations where additional support services are urgently needed.
Designed on evidence-based Housing First principles, Homes First prioritises securing safe and secure housing as the initial step towards addressing homelessness. Participants will also benefit from tailored wrap-around services such as mental health care, substance abuse support, financial counselling, and family violence assistance, ensuring they receive holistic care to sustain their tenancies.
Minister Shing emphasised the importance of this approach, stating, “Finding people a safe and secure place to call home is one part of breaking the cycle of homelessness; the other is making sure they have the wraparound supports they need to thrive.”
The program will initially roll out in key areas including Brimbank-Melton, Hume-Merribek, Outer Eastern Melbourne, Goulburn, Ovens Murray, Inner Gippsland, Loddon, and Wimmera South-West, responding directly to local needs for enhanced homelessness support.
Furthermore, Homes First will allocate at least 10 per cent of its funding to Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations, ensuring culturally responsive and self-determined approaches are central to service delivery.
In addition to the program, the Victorian Government has invested in eight permanent supportive housing facilities, strategically located in Melbourne, Carlton, Dandenong, and Seddon, with plans for four more currently in development. These facilities provide essential round-the-clock support for over 300 individuals, addressing the needs of rough sleepers with intensive housing support services.
Minister Shing expressed confidence in the program’s potential impact, stating, “Homes First is evidence-based and will provide practical, on-the-ground support to hundreds of Victorians right across the state. This is an opportunity to break the cycle of homelessness – because we know that having secure, stable housing with wraparound supports leads to better outcomes across the board.”
The initiative highlights Victoria’s commitment to addressing homelessness through a combination of secure housing provision and comprehensive support services, marking a significant step towards improving outcomes for vulnerable individuals and families statewide.
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