Melbourne Street to Home supported Jade’s journey from rough sleeping to advocacy and stability
Systemic barriers made it difficult for Jade to find a home. Bolstered by open-ended support from Melbourne Street to Home, she broke free from a cycle of marginalisation and long-term rough sleeping.
Having experienced homelessness from a young age, Jade became trapped in a cycle of incarceration, housing insecurity and street-based survival that was difficult to escape. Sleeping rough with her dog, she had a vital source of safety and companionship, however, a distinct lack of pet-friendly housing at the time, in addition to stigma around the dog’s breed, meant they were often excluded from supported accommodation and private rental options.
In 2016, Jade — along with others who were rough-sleeping in Melbourne’s CBD — started a protest about the inaccessibility of affordable housing and support for the rough sleeping community. Launch Housing outreach workers helped people get access to support and apply for housing.
Services without judgment
Jade successfully moved into a transitional property and was linked with a worker from the Melbourne Street to Home program. She describes her worker as someone who respected her boundaries, never pushed, and consistently showed up.
‘[The case worker] was really good … patient with me and waited. It took her years to get me to a doctor, but she just stuck with me.’
This long-term, trauma-informed approach upheld Jade’s autonomy and dignity of risk. Her worker supported her through addiction and a domestic violence relationship, offering services without judgment.
‘They knew I had a drug addiction, and they were supportive. They knew I was in a DV relationship and offered me services for that. So, I knew if I needed to get out, I could. And eventually I did.’
While housing brought physical stability, Jade found herself grappling with social isolation. After years of living in public spaces, the transition to being housed was emotionally complex. This sense of disconnection is a common but often overlooked part of the housing journey, especially for those who’ve spent long periods on the street.
’It's not just about getting us to a doctor and getting us in a house. It's about getting us socialised again.’
Housing supported Jade’s healing, building connection and long-term stability
With housing as her foundation, Jade has rebuilt her life. Today, she is living in public housing and studying a Diploma of Community Services, with aspirations to pursue a Master of Social Work. Her goal is to work in family violence policy reform, using her lived experience to improve systems for others.
The biggest shift for Jade has been in her self-confidence.
‘Being able to know that I’m alright. I can do what I’ve got to do if I need to do it. I’ll have my moments but [Launch Housing’s support] has given me the self-confidence to do that. I never would have gone to school or none of that stuff.’
She reflects critically on the responses to those who remain on the street, including the disposal of people’s belongings. Despite the broad commitment from services and councils to achieve zero rough sleeping, she highlights the ongoing barriers people experience in accessing support.
Jade continues to advocate for safety improvements in her estate, including security upgrades — a reminder that housing alone isn’t enough without safety and responsiveness.
