Q&As – General stakeholders
April 2016
Homelessness and housing reform launch sites
Q&As: General stakeholders1
What is a homelessness and housing reform launch site?
Three geographic sites have been chosen to launch a new way of working across the homelessness and housing service systems and introduce new approaches, in partnership with local community organisations. The new approaches aim to:
- enhance the suite of assistance options for people experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness
- target resources (housing, brokerage and support) effectively across the spectrum of homelessness need (at risk, first time, episodic or long-term homeless), and
- tailor assistance to an individual’s or family’s needs (ensuring it is of sufficient intensity and duration to assist people to secure and sustain housing).
Where are the launch sites?
The launch sites are the three Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) divisional areas of Inner Gippsland, Brimbank Melton and Hume Moreland.
Why is this happening?
We know the current system is fragmented, disconnected and can’t keep up with demand, making it hard for people to get the help they need and for staff to do their jobs effectively. Everyone deserves the stability and security of a safe place to call home and the homelessness and housing support systems can be improved, with your ideas and energy.
How do the launch sites relate to the government’s response to the Royal Commission into FamilyViolence?
Many of you will have participated in or closely followed the Royal Commission into Family Violence. The Victorian Government has announced a $572 million statewide package to begin to address 65 of the Commission's most urgent recommendations. It included a strong focus on housing supports, underpinned by an initial $152.5 million ‘housing blitz’ to ensure that victims of family violence have access to appropriate, safe housing.
The Royal Commission also made a series of recommendations relating to the way people access services and the way services are coordinated.
This investment is the first step in addressing the Commission's wide ranging recommendations, which will have implications right across health and community services and for all vulnerable people seeking assistance
The Royal Commission’s recommendations and the subsequent announcement of funding by the Victorian Government will build on the body of reform work that is already being undertaken by the department to improve the way the homeless and housing systems work and to address the issues and challenges identified by the Commission.
The design of the launch sites will be progressed in line with the government’s response to the Royal Commission’s recommendations and broader reform agenda.
Who will benefit?
People who are in crisis, escaping family violence, or are at risk of losing their home.
What is the timeframe?
We will commence a period of collaboration and co-design with service users and the homelessness providers and community housing organisations we work with in these locations over the next few months.
Why have these areas been chosen?
These areas’ strong local connections and history of working on projects that have bought partnerships together made them an ideal location to launch a new way of tackling homelessness and better targeting and delivering social housing, from which homelessness and housing service delivery across the state can learn and improve.
What is expected of us?
Organisations in the launch sites:
- Contribute and provide expert advice to overall service delivery approach and implementation in your area
- Lead and implement changes in your organisation including working with your local DHHS office and other key stakeholders
- Champion the initiatives and engage staff
- Provide regular feedback and reporting
Organisations outside the launch sites:
- Contribute/participate in statewide forums, meetings and workshops about reform initiatives in the launch sites
- Maintain an active interest in the service changes in the launch sites.
What are the new support initiatives?
The launch sites will provide the opportunity to test and refine a new way of working, which will be rolled out in stages, including:
- Integrated approach to access for homelessness and social housing services, including a consistent approach to assessment, triage and referral
- enhanced private rental assistance
- maximising outcomes through the Victorian Housing Register
- choice-based letting for social housing
- individualised outcome focused approach to support
- a shift in focus from just the housing crisis to long term health and wellbeing underpinned by stable housing.
Do we have to be involved?
For organisations in launch site areas it is imperative that you participate – your knowledge, experience and advice will be crucial.
What if we don’t want to be involved?
All local homelessness providers and community housing organisations, funded by DHHS, in the launch site areas are required to participate.
How will it affect our operations?
For organisations in launch site areas, you will have the opportunity to participate in the co-design process, so that we understand what the new way of working across the homelessness and housing service systems and new approaches mean on the ground. The launch sites will enable a more consistent approach between services which means our clients can expect improved assessment of need and better identification of supportneeds.
How will it affect our clients?
These reforms aim to make it easier for people who are homeless, or experiencing crisis, to find housing and stay housed. By bringing the homelessness and housing sectors closer together access will be streamlined to ensure that people get the right support at the right time - people will have greater choice and receive support that is tailored to their needs.
Who is overseeing the launch sites?
A governance structure for the sites is being developed that includes a Service Design Group, a Project Support Team, a Consumer Advisory Group, a Local Area Implementation Group and an Evaluation group.
Membership of these groups, with the exception of the Consumer Advisory group, will be made up of representatives from DHHS and local areas as well as representatives from the homelessness and housing sector.
Is there any more funding?
Funding will be allocated to support launch site areas to implement new and redesigned services measures over the next two years. These funds will support the service changes in each area, provide additional resources to secure private rental housing, training for internal and external staff, evaluation of the launch sites and a range of other establishment costs.
Who else is involved?
The launch sites will bring together local homelessness providers, community housing organisations and local area service networks. Community service organisations, private real estate agents and peak bodies will also be key stakeholders in this work.
Will we know what is happening at the other sites?
Yes. A regular feedback loop will be in place across the launch sites so that learning can be shared and changes made as needed.
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© State of Victoria, Department of Health and Human ServicesApril, 2016
Homelessness and housing reform launch sites
Q&As: General stakeholders1