This case study relates to the Victorian public sector value of responsiveness.
Background
A partnership between the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH) and housing and support providers in eastern metropolitan Melbourne is setting young people leaving care up for success – one home at a time.
Too many young people leave care and experience homelessness within four years; a 2021 Accommodating transition: improving housing outcomes for young people leaving OHC study reported around 54 per cent of those leaving care had this experience.
The goal of the partnership was to secure housing for young people who would otherwise leave care with fears about being in unsafe or insecure housing, or into homelessness.
Challenge
Recognising the tight housing market in Victoria and the vulnerability of young people leaving care, DFFH and its funded providers in Melbourne’s East developed a contemporary approach to finding new accommodation.
Informed by conversations with young people, the partnership allowed providers and DFFH to share sector knowledge and identify housing options for those leaving care.
The team worked collaboratively to understand the support needs each young person required to live successfully in their identified home, and supported the young people to view properties, express their preferences, complete applications and sign leases.
The partners also assisted the young people to buy furniture, connect to utilities, and move into their own homes.
Demonstrating the public sector value of responsiveness, partners collaborated to overcome barriers and provide housing options for this group of young people. Partners have reflected positively on the collaboration and share a sense of optimism about what can be achieved together.
Result
The initiative has already found homes for 10 young people leaving care.
Sector partners have reported the young people’s reactions have been wonderful to witness.
One young person squealed with excitement when offered this pathway. Another said they were “really excited” and couldn’t wait to “definitely move in”, and a third reported they were really happy with the location and appearance of the home.
Another young person was excited and relieved to have accommodation they could call their own.