July 2002

Pilot project to tackle risk of homelessness

The first of 11 new pilot programs to improve homeless support across metropolitan and regional Victoria as part of the Victorian Homelessness Strategy has been announced by Housing Minister Bronwyn Pike.

The Victorian Homelessness Strategy is the Government’s blueprint to provide better services and support to homeless people and those at risk of becoming homeless.

The innovative 12-month pilot project will improve services and support for public tenants at risk of becoming homeless in Melbourne’s inner western suburbs.

Funding of $160,000 has been awarded to Wombat Lanigiro Housing and Support Service in North Melbourne to work with public housing communities in suburbs such as Flemington, Maidstone, Footscray and Braybrook.

‘The project is about identifying and supporting public tenants with complex needs who sometimes find it tough to sustain their tenancies,’ Ms Pike said.

‘The need for this type of service in the inner west was one of the priorities identified in the Strategy.’

The project will enable new specialist support staff to work with the Office of Housing to provide early intervention to help vulnerable households stabilise their tenancies and provide links to further referral and support.

‘With increased funding, the Government is now delivering projects through the Victorian Homelessness Strategy that will improve services to homeless people and turn around our homelessness service system.’

• The Victorian Homelessness Strategy is on the Internet at: www.dhs.vic.gov.au/vhs.