Creating housing and access
Two of the biggest problems faced by people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless are the severe lack of affordable housing and access to the housing that does exist. There is simply not enough good quality, permanent and affordable housing available for the people who most need it.
In order to end homelessness, we need more housing and better access for those most in need. Of particular importance is access to government funded housing.
HomeGround is creating new housing, including both Supportive Housing and other forms of affordable housing. The first example of this is Elizabeth Street Common Ground.
We are also creating better access to existing housing through programs like the Private Rental Access Program, the Private Rental Management Program, our recently formed Housing Options Team and advocacy aimed at establishing more equity of access to government funded housing.
Supportive Housing and the Common Ground model
When we create new housing it has to be the right kind of housing. It has to be housing that includes support that is relevant to people's needs.
Supportive Housing is a model of affordable housing that brings together high quality housing for vulnerable people together with support services. Common Ground is a type of Supportive Housing that is proven overseas and being implemented across Australia. It combines high quality housing and support services to give permanent homes to people who have been homeless as well as those on low incomes.
Elizabeth Street Common Ground
HomeGround initiated Melbourne's first Common Ground project - Elizabeth Street Common Ground. Elizabeth Street is a new apartment complex in central Melbourne, close to transport and social and employment opportunities. It has 131 apartments with space for tenants drawn from both Melbourne’s chronically homeless population and low income earners. Support services including case management, healthcare and ancillary services will be located on-site for formerly homeless tenants.
This project is a partnership between HomeGround, Yarra Community Housing, the Victorian and Federal governments, the Victorian Property Fund and construction and development company Grocon.