- Minister for Housing
Rough sleepers in Bendigo are getting the support they need to get back on their feet and into housing with a team of outreach workers paying regular visits to local homeless hotspots.
Minister for Housing Richard Wynne today visited the outreach team in Bendigo, which provides a mobile service – the HeyVan – to people sleeping rough in the city.
In the year since the Haven Home Safe assertive outreach team commenced work in Bendigo more than 160 people experiencing homelessness have been provided with tailored and targeted support to help them engage with emergency accommodation services and receive ongoing assistance.
The outreach teams actively seek out people who homelessness services have not previously been able to help.
They support people who are chronically homeless or sleeping rough, build up a trusted connection and help them get access to the housing and support services they need.
Of the people who have met with the outreach teams in Bendigo, 17 people who were previously sleeping rough have obtained long-term housing and 14 people have been reunited with family. The age of people assisted ranged from 21 to 75.
There are seven assertive outreach teams in place across the state as part of the Andrews Labor Government’s Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Action Plan, which includes more than $45 million in projects to help break the cycle of homelessness.
As noted by Minister for Housing Richard Wynne
“We’re taking targeted support directly to rough sleepers to break the cycle of homelessness for vulnerable Victorians and help them get back on their feet.”
“The results of the first year show this program is making a lasting difference for people sleeping rough.”
As stated by Member for Bendigo East Jacinta Allan
“Every person we can get off the streets and into accommodation, with the wrap-around services they need, is a great result for the community.”
As stated by Member for Bendigo West Maree Edwards
“These outreach workers have done a fantastic job supporting rough sleepers in Bendigo, helping them face their issues head on and get housing in their local area.”
