About supportive housing and Common Ground |
About supportive housing
Homelessness causes damaging, long-term impacts. For many it causes a variety of health, mental health and substance abuse problems.
People experiencing chronic homeless present in disproportionately high numbers to emergency health and mental health systems for treatment, often with symptoms associated with their homelessness. These same people are over-represented in the justice system and often struggle to break away from the cycle of crime due to ongoing homelessness.
Supportive housing meets the needs of these people through the close integration of suitable housing and tailored support services. It supports the Victorian Government's Fairer Victoria policy and the Federal Government's work on social inclusion.
Supportive housing fills a gap in housing options for people trying to escape homelessness. It also actively works towards better connecting services, becoming more outcome focussed and in putting people's needs at the forefront of service provision.
HomeGround is bringing supportive housing to Melbourne. Supportive housing will help to end homelessness for the most vulnerable, chronically homeless people.
In November 2007 HomeGround launched Supportive Housing through a breakfast hosted by KPMG and supported by KordaMentha, Melbourne Community Foundation and CPR Communications.
This milestone occasion was attended by Rosanne Haggerty, CEO of the New York-based housing organisation Common Ground, whose successful supportive housing model inspired us to introduce an adapted model in Melbourne.
Guests included The Hon Richard Wynne MP and community and business leaders. At the launch HomeGround also announced its appointment of Melbourne’s first Supportive Housing Manager.
The launch generated huge interest in embracing HomeGround’s vision of ending homelessness in Melbourne through the Supportive Housing model.
In April of 2008 Rosanne Haggerty returned to Australia, accompanied by the Medical Director of the Office of Mental Health for New York, Lloyd Sederer. They provided advice to Victorian ministers and senior government officials about the efficacy of Supportive Housing in the US as well as the latest evidence regarding the social and economic benefits of safe and affordable housing as the most effective response to homelessness.
Their trip was made more exciting as Melbourne’s first Supportive Housing site, for the Elizabeth Street Common Ground Development, was secured during their visit.
Principles of supportive housing
- Permanence and affordability
It provides long-term housing that ends homelessness permanently for individuals and families. Supportive housing rents are set at a maximum of 30% of tenant income.
- Safety and comfort
It offers self contained, high quality housing with controlled access to keep unwelcome visitors out.
- On-site support services that are accessible, flexible and target housing stability
On-site provision includes holistic case management, concierge, mental health, allied health, therapeutic, recreation and other specialist ancillary services. These are essential to ensure tenants are successful in maintaining their new housing and addressing the original causes of their homelessness.
- Empowerment and independence
Supportive housing comprises a mix of formerly homeless tenants along with low income tenants who have never been homeless. This helps to build a thriving community.
- Service system linkages and capacity building
Supportive housing creates and strengthens links within both homelessness and mainstream service systems and contributes to the efficiency of these systems.
About Common Ground
Common Ground is a successful model of supportive housing developed in the US.
HomeGround has been instrumental in adapting it to Australian conditions and advocating it as a more effective housing response for people experiencing chronic homelessness.