Pictured: One Voice Mobile Showers offers people a safe place to shower, shave, brush their teeth, and connect
Vulnerable and disconnected, rough sleepers need support
People sleeping rough are some of the most vulnerable in our society. It can be a dangerous and often traumatising experience, with many people who sleep rough suffering from poor health, including mental ill health drug dependence. They are often faced with overlapping challenges to their physical and mental health and need to navigate the complex systems of healthcare and housing.
“Numbers of people seeking support are growing, with rough sleepers up about 20% in the last quarter compared to last year.” – Southern Peninsular Community Support, Grant recipient in Naarm (Melbourne)
Our current housing crisis is pushing more families and people into precarious living arrangements, with community organisations reporting a major uptick in clients presenting for the first time in their lives, sleeping in caravans, tents, cars, on friend’s couches, rough on street and in parks, or accessing insecure accommodation like boarding houses on a day to day basis.
“For people who are street present, critical survival needs often take precedence over healthcare concerns and first priority is given to finding food, safety, warmth.” – Alison at Homeless Healthcare on Noongar Country (Perth)
That’s why we have funded programs that are providing critical care to people sleeping rough and experiencing homelessness. Our supporters, donors and philanthropic partnerships have helped us provide emergency support including swags, clothing, food, medicine, phones, transport, showers, social connection and medical outreach.
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Delivering healthcare, food, swags, and social connection
To ensure we are reaching and best supporting people sleeping rough and experiencing homelessness, we have funded a range of care responses including assertive and mobile outreach as well as drop-in clinics. Assertive and mobile outreach teams bring essential care like immunisations and medical treatment, to people in need on their own terms. This eases the pressure on vulnerable people to make appointments at fixed site centres, pay for transport or spend precious energy getting there. Drop-in centres also provide basic care and a consistent space where rapport can be built. These fixed sites enable the provision of showers, meals, winter clothes and emergency supplies such as thermally insulated swags which are a vital necessity.
“What is special about our service is that because we are engaging in outreach, are present at hospitals, are working alongside other service hubs, our staff can build trust and communication with a client throughout these transient experiences, often resulting in a better health and housing outcome as a result.” – Alison, Homeless Healthcare
People who are street present are often traumatised and hesitant to engage due to previous negative healthcare experiences, so building trust and rapport is important. Treating someone for a wound, or providing a hot meal or shower is often the initial first step in being able to connect them with other services and work towards a housing outcome.
“Our clients are often poor self advocates and a big part of our role is supporting them to navigate the complex and interconnected systems of healthcare, homelessness, housing, employment etc.” – Clint Marion, Program Manager of the Connections team at MOSS
5 Grants boosting health care responses, thanks to our monthly donors…
| Organisation | Region | Grant |
| Homelessness Healthcare WA | WA – Perth | $6,100.00 |
| Haymarket Fnd | NSW – Sydney | $6,100.00 |
| Health on the Streets | NSW – Regional | $6,100.00 |
| Larrakia Nation – Healthy Engagement and Assistance in the Long Grass | NT – Darwin | $6,100.00 |
| Micah Projects – Street to Home Nurses | QLD – Brisbane | $6,100.00 |
| Total | $30,500.00 |
Street to Home Nurses / Micah Projects on Bindal Country (Brisbane)
“What is special about our service is that because we are engaging in outreach, are present at hospitals, are working alongside other service hubs, our staff can build trust and communication with a client throughout these transient experiences” – Homeless Healthcare
Health on the Streets / Coast and Country Primary Care on Bindal Country (Brisbane)
“The HEAL focuses on support for people living rough in Darwin-Palmerston areas. We provide health and social transport and advocacy, personal hygiene access and education, linen and bedding where necessary, and social and community engagement – Larrakia Nation website
Homeless Healthcare on Noongar Country (Perth)
“These individuals often face a range of barriers to accessing basic healthcare services, such as going to a GP. Our team are committed to ensuring all people have a right to basic healthcare, safety and dignity and we provide a range of support and services to those doing it tough.” – HoTS website
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Larrakia Nation – HEAL program on Larrakia Country (Darwin)
10 grants providing immediate impact to rough sleepers, thanks to a philanthropic partnership
| Organisation | Region in VIC | Grant |
| Hope Street – Youth Outreach | Western | $8,000.00 |
| Knox Info Link | Eastern | $8,000.00 |
| IPC Health – Brimbank and Melton LGAs | Northern | $8,000.00 |
| MOSS Darebin | Northern | $8,000.00 |
| One Voice Mobile Showers | Metro | $8,000.00 |
| Southern Peninsula Community Support | Southern | $8,000.00 |
| Youth Projects – Night Nurses /Living Room | CBD | $8,000.00 |
| Regional | ||
| Backpack Beds | Statewide | $8,000.00 |
| Dhelkaya Health | Castlemaine | $8,000.00 |
| Footscape | Statewide | $8,000.00 |
| Total | $80,000.00 |
Night Nurses at Youth Projects in Naarm (Melbourne)
“Our program conducts outreach to rough sleepers and high-risk accommodation settings, providing emergency food support, providing priority access to health care services at IPC Health and facilitating the access of in-need community members into appropriate support services.” – IPC Health Outreach
Footscape, Naarm (Melbourne)
“Funding is helping us get all the essential for young people sleeping rough, for example, food and/ or groceries, telecommunications and data, myki/ transport costs, clothing and warmth, as well as hotel accommodation if required” – Hope Street Youth and Family Services Naarm (Melbourne)
IPC Health , and One Voice Mobile Showers Naarm (Melbourne)
“ These kits target the problems encountered by people experiencing rough sleeping, as painful foot problems are accentuated as individuals suffer cold wet conditions and may be forced to walk long distances with poor footwear and socks.” – Footscape, across VIC
Hope Street Youth and Family Services Naarm (Melbourne)
Our donors and supporters have once again collectively made an incredible difference for thousands of people struggling to keep a roof over their head, feed their families, or get set up in a new home after experiencing homelessness and trauma. Thank you to those who donated, including our corporate and philanthropic partners.
