Low cost accommodation programs support vulnerable Victorians with unmet complex needs and unstable tenancies by linking them with relevant services to improve their health and social connectedness and stabilise their accommodation.
Low cost accommodation programs target adults and older Victorians who:
- are socially isolated
- have complex needs associated with co-existing disabilities and issues (such as mental illness, acquired brain injury, alcohol or drug dependence, chronic health issues)
- have a history of homelessness and social marginalisation.
There are three programs:
- Community Connection Program, which supports Victorians who are in low cost accommodation, or who are homeless.
- Housing Support for the Aged Program, which helps people over 50 with complex needs and a history of homelessness.
- Older Persons High Rise Program (OHRSP), which monitors and supports tenants of the 11 older persons' high rise public housing estates in inner Melbourne.
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The Community Connection Program helps Victorians with multiple or complex needs who are homeless or live in low cost accommodation. Often these people are isolated and not well connected with health, housing or community services. They easily 'slip through the gaps'.
Community Connection Program providers proactively find, engage, assess and link these people with the services they need. Each provider has a pool of funds to help people overcome a crisis or a pressing need. Service providers can also help people relocate if their accommodation closes.
Community Connection Program providers also work with local services to make them more accessible and responsive to these Victorians.
There are 18 Community Connection Program services across Victoria.
Downloads
Community Connection Program services -
The Housing Support for the Aged Program supports Victorians aged 50 years and over with complex health needs and a history of homelessness.
The program supports clients as they enter public or community managed housing, and people already in public housing if their tenancy is at risk. It helps clients maintain long-term public housing and improves their health and wellbeing.
Support provided through the program includes:
- low-level monitoring
- case management to coordinate client access to services
- practical assistance such as helping clients to get to appointments or linking them into social and recreational activities.
Workers have access to a flexible pool of funds to overcome crises (including evictions), or to respond to a pressing need that cannot be readily met by existing services.
There are 12 Housing Support for the Aged Program services across Victoria.
Downloads
Housing Support for the Aged Program services -
The Older Persons High Rise Support Program monitors and supports vulnerable and isolated tenants of 11 older persons' high rise public housing estates in inner Melbourne.
These tenants often lack support from family and friends and may not be well linked with health and community services. Clients often include people with mental illness, drug or alcohol dependence, and acquired brain injuries.
On-site workers link vulnerable tenants to support and services, to help them feel safe, independent, secure and connected to the community.
There are four Older Persons High Rise Program providers based in inner Melbourne.
Downloads
OIder Persons High Rise Program services
Reviewed 10 July 2024