Funding will be boosted and partnerships with two of Melbourne’s most trusted homelessness services extended, as part of a package of measures to support rough sleepers and tackle homelessness in our city.
As part of a comprehensive Homelessness Package, the Salvation Army’s Project 614 and Melbourne City Mission’s Frontyard Youth Services will expand essential support for those experiencing homelessness in the heart of Melbourne.
The Salvation Army’s ‘Project 614’ site has been a reliable place for rough sleepers to access meals, healthcare, housing assistance and advice in inner Melbourne for years. While Frontyard Youth Services works with young people who are homeless in the CBD, or at risk of homelessness, to help them get back on track.
The Homelessness Package will deliver $6 million to The Salvation Army’s Project 614, which will go towards:
- Expanding the Hospitality Kitchen service to provide free meals seven days a week from 8 am to 8 pm.
- Employing additional financial counsellors to offer free, non-judgmental advice to those in need.
- Strengthening the housing information and referrals team to assist more rough sleepers in finding secure housing.
The Melbourne City Mission’s Frontyard Youth Services will receive $3.2 million to help:
- Establish a new team of on-the-ground Outreach Workers to deliver a street-based youth work program.
- Double the number of Youth Peer Workers at the Frontyard Youth Hub - Melbourne’s only specialist homelessness access point for young people aged 16-24.
More people are doing it tougher than ever before, and with continued cost-of-living pressures it means many are living right on the edge. It doesn’t take much for people to fall behind and find themselves in a vulnerable position and on our streets.
That’s why alongside the additional funding for targeted services, a re-elected Nick Reece as Lord Mayor will also invest $2 million to recruit three additional on-street officers to the City Safety team.
These officers will use their local knowledge and partnerships to connect rough sleepers with services provided by organisations like the Salvation Army, Melbourne City Mission, and the City of Melbourne’s Make Room Centre.
The new Homelessness Package will also complement the Make Room project – a refurbished Council building at 602 Little Bourke Street that will provide 50 emergency accommodation apartments for rough sleepers and is set to open later in the year.
Quotes attributable to Lord Mayor Nicholas Reece:
“Homelessness is one of the most pressing issues facing our city – that’s why I want to put in place more targeted support so our most vulnerable people can access the help they need at the right time.”
“I want to give our rough sleepers a hand up and ensure that the support is there to help them get back on track and rebuild their lives.”
“I’ve been privileged to see up close the extraordinary work done by the Salvation Army and Frontyard Youth Services and I know that this additional funding can make a big difference to people who need it most.”
Quotes attributable to Councillor and Deputy Lord Mayor Candidate Roshena Campbell:
“By supporting those who are doing it tough, we are making Melbourne a better, more compassionate, and safer place for everyone.”
