The Elizabeth Street Common Ground partnership

Elizabeth Street Common Ground is the first of its kind in Australia. It is based on an internationally proven, practical and cost-effective model targeted at the needs of our most vulnerable community members experiencing long-term homelessness.

It is also a groundbreaking example of what partnerships can look like and achieve. The core project partnership comprises HomeGround, Yarra Community Housing, the Victorian and Federal governments, the Victorian Property Fund and construction and development company Grocon.

This group of organisations, has come together to combine their respective expertise and deliver incredible results. Elizabeth Street Common Ground is due to receive its first tenants in August and will be finished ahead of schedule with savings exceeding $8 million.

HomeGround has also entered into other partnerships to see the support services at Elizabeth Street Common Ground fully operational. The Rotary Club of Melbourne, the Rotary Club of Melbourne Park, the members of the Australian Common Ground Alliance, various corporate contributors and a wide range of community organisations are all coming together to ensure the model delivers on its ambitious potential.

Others, including Melbourne City Council and Supportive Housing partners from the US, have also contributed significantly to this project, proving that the best results are achieved through diverse and collaborative partnerships.

Green Collect at Elizabeth Street Common Ground

Green Collect is a social enterprise working with businesses to achieve positive environmental change. Through the delivery of innovative recycling and waste management solutions, Green Collect aims to reduce the amount of waste going to landfill and offer employment opportunities to people experiencing significant barriers to paid work.

Green Collect opened its doors at Elizabeth Street Common Ground in March 2011, immediately offering paid training and employment to five tenants. These tenants work in three hour shifts, making recycled products such as notebooks from discarded paper materials and magnets using old computer keyboards.

The Last Cuppa Catering at Elizabeth Street Common Ground

The Last Cuppa is a social firm run by Wesley Mission, providing hospitality training and employment opportunities to people with a disability or mental illness.

All tenants at Elizabeth Street Common Ground are offered the opportunity to access supported training and employment with The Last Cuppa Catering. At present there are five tenants undergoing training in food preparation, food safety and an accredited barista course. Once training is completed, these tenants will be offered employment within the catering service and/or the café.

Catering orders can be phoned through on 9347 1012 or emailed to catering@thelastcuppa.com.au. A menu of catering options can be viewed here.