We support our community to understand that ending homelessness is possible, that the solutions to homelessness are known, and that there are actions we can all take to end homelessness in Melbourne. Our partnerships and public engagement tackle the stigma surrounding homelessness and are building a positive community movement to create change.

 Our work contributes to the SDGs 

Increase in acts of community engagement to end homelessness

We measure our success in three stages: ‘Reach’ raises awareness of the solutions to homelessness and empathy for people experiencing it. ‘Action’ is where we know our reach has led to action. ‘Change’ indicates we are influencing community-wide changes across Melbourne.

This year, our communications reached millions of people and prompted action which contributes to change across society.

Increase in value of partner support.

We officially opened Viv’s Place in Dandenong with an event attended by 125 guests including philanthropic donors, government and sector partners. This was a valuable opportunity to spotlight this Australian-first supportive housing solution for families and encourage the replication and scaling of similar developments across the country.

We launched the Parachute Fund, a donor/partner-funded client brokerage fund for people and families at risk of experiencing homelessness that can be used for items including essential household goods, bond and rent, emergency accommodation, food and clothing. Our partner Shape generously refurbished our Southbank crisis accommodation premises, because everyone deserves a nice place to live (see video below). And we partnered with Homie on their Hoodies for Homelessness campaign as part of Youth Homelessness Matters Day because supporting young people helps break the intergenerational cycle of homelessness.

We launched our flagship community engagement campaign, Melbourne Zero, building a community movement to make Melbourne a world-leading city in ending homelessness, starting with ending rough sleeping. Highlights include more than 5,000 Melburnians joining the movement and 36 businesses and brands joining the Melbourne Zero Network, contributing their diverse expertise, resources and reach; publishing a ‘Love Letter to Melbourne’ in The Age newspaper on Valentine’s Day, launching a campaign website with 20 actions the community can take, Big Thinker perspectives on ending homelessness, and a digital and outdoor ad campaign amplifying lived experience voices.

We secured philanthropic support from generous Melburnians to help a record number of people as we pursue our vision of zero homelessness in Melbourne. And won the Social Impact Measurement of Australia (SIMNA) award for Excellence in Social Impact for our Integrated Impact Measurement Framework including the 2022-23 Impact Report, helping further share our approach and outcomes for the benefit of the whole community.

Thanks to our partners

SHAPE, a commercial fit-out specialist who provided significant in-kind support in the refurbishment of our Southbank site, rallying an army of subbies who pledged their skills and time to transform 26 rooms. 

Neuron Mobility, who provided unlimited and free Neuron rides as part of a wellbeing initiative for our staff. 

The Body Shop, who partnered on Open Hiring for the third year running, providing clients with an opportunity to apply for retail roles based on their potential rather than their job history.