Increase in number of clients with secure housing on exit from a Launch Housing support program

Summary

• Clients can access a range of housing and support programs at Launch Housing, from preventative support, intensive wrap-around support, and long-term case management. Clients leaving our support programs with safe and secure housing is one of the primary goals we work towards.
• 3,574 clients secured housing after using a Launch Housing support program.
• 89% of clients from tenancy support programs maintain their existing housing with our support.

Analysis

Prevention and early intervention support helps people keep housing

Early intervention support can help prevent people from entering into homelessness. We support people at risk of homelessness to make sure they continue to have housing.

This year, our programs continued to keep people housed. Our programs prevent homelessness and support renters to stay in their homes, with support workers providing clients at risk of losing their tenancy with a support plan, case management and advocacy.

Tenancy support programs are highly successful year on year. This year, 89% of clients from these programs sustained their housing with our support.

Another highly successful program is our Accommodation Options for Families (AOF) program, which supports families in crisis find secure, long-term housing with a focus on securing private rental outcomes. A recent review of the program, looking at data between 2022 and 2023, showed that 74% of families assisted secured housing — a considerable achievement given the current housing market and lack of secure and affordable housing.

Programs that provide housing pathways and care coordination achieve better client outcomes

The Cornelia Program and the Better Health and Housing Program (BHHP) demonstrate the incredible, long-term outcomes when clients with complex needs have access to housing pathways and care coordination.

While evaluations of both programs will be released later this year, early results show a significant proportion of residents find and keep secure housing after leaving the programs. with residents also reporting improvements in their health and wellbeing. For example, 64% percent of First Nations clients attained secure housing through BHHP.

Key to this success is the integrated healthcare and housing support and dedicated care team. These programs are also cost-effective with the BHHP evaluation demonstrating cost-savings estimated between $11.8 million and $18.6 million, or $200,700 and $314,800 per-participant, over 10 years.

They’re a big help in my eyes… It just makes things so much harder on your own. You don’t know where to start … They’ve helped me get things in order and get things in progress … They give me some options, and I’ll go ahead or not. No problem. And yeah, it makes a big difference because it shows they care, and then that helps me get back in the swing of things. – BHHP Resident

Demographics

Looking at our intensive support programs, 75% of women exited into secure housing and 63% of First Nations clients exited into secure housing. This contrasts to outcomes of the more traditional homelessness system.

In Victoria, only 53% of clients were housed in Public, Private, Community or other housing when they finished support with an SHS service in 2023-24 (AIHW). This includes brief intervention programs such as Initial Assessment & Planning.

Looking Ahead

Clients leaving our programs with safe and secure housing is one of the primary goals we work towards. Moving forward, we will continue to help clients at risk of homelessness keep their housing, and advocate for programs that provide housing pathways and care coordination such as the Better Health and Housing Program.