We engage actively with the media to raise public awareness, amplify the voices of people experiencing homelessness, and generate the cultural and social change needed to end homelessness.
This guest blog is written by Sharni, is a member of the Lived Experience Advisory Group (LEAG) and tackles three myths about homelessness. “Growing up I had a vision of what my life would be. Becoming a young mum at 16, I imagined this beautiful ‘normal’ life for myself and my child. Never did I […]
By Akemi, member of Launch Housing’s Lived Experience Advisory Group (LEAG) Ellie Gonsalves, Ciaran Lyons, Pauline Nguyen, Dr Andrew Rochford and Melbourne’s Deputy Lord Mayor Arron Wood are to be commended for taking part in this year’s “Filthy Rich and Homeless” TV show, an experiment where five high profile Australians are given a ten day […]
Originally written and published by Bevan Warner on LinkedIn. Victoria’s response to the Covid-19 threat has had one clear intended consequence, nearly 1000 rough sleepers are no longer on the streets or in cars but are now living in temporary motel and hotel rooms in inner Melbourne. The initial response from the Victorian Government to […]
Funding boost will help combat COVID19 in homeless sector Launch Housing welcomes special funding measures for the homeless sector. The Victorian Government is putting $6 million towards Victorian homelessness organisations to help protect Victorians at risk of or experiencing homelessness because of the COVID-19 virus. CEO Bevan Warner says the funding is being targeted to […]
This is a guest blog post and thought piece by Tom Hall, First-Step Social Solutions, accredited mental health social worker (AASW) at Launch Housing Elizabeth Street Common Ground (ESCG). This article is one in a series that Launch Housing is publishing around mental health and homelessness. “Many people take on far too much responsibility for […]
Responds to the Victorian Parliamentary Inquiry into Homelessness This submission follows and builds on the evidence provided to the Legal and Social Issues Committee by Bevan Warner, Chief Executive Officer and Karren Walker, Manager Entry Points, on 22 November 2019. The persistence and continued growth of homelessness is unacceptable and unforgivable but it is eminently […]
The Productivity Commission’s Inquiry into Mental Health draft report was released on 31 October 2019. Read our response here. In April 2019 Launch Housing made a submission to the inquiry to highlight the critical importance of housing for good mental health care and recovery from mental ill-health. We called on the Productivity Commission to consider […]
This is a continuation of a two-part series that looks into a journey of homelessness and mental illness. As part of our submission to the Royal Commission in Victoria’s Mental Health System, we talked to our clients to learn about how they’ve navigated the homelessness and mental health systems. Their overall experiences are shared in […]
To advise the Royal Commission in Victoria’s Mental Health System we talked to our clients to learn about how they’ve navigated the mental health and homelessness systems. Their overall experiences are presented in the following article in their own words and reflect the devastating impact of homelessness, especially the extent to which it has destabilised […]
As extreme heat hits, new data shows more people sleeping rough. Victorian homelessness support services, like Launch Housing, are increasingly struggling to meet demand, as new data shows a staggering 700+ requests for help go unmet every week. The Specialist Homelessness Services (SHS) figures released today by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) […]
The United Nation’s 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence runs annually, and is used across the world as a platform to call for the elimination of gender-based violence. The campaign starts on 25th November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and ends on 10th December, International Human Rights Day. By […]
Family violence is the single biggest cause of homelessness in Victoria. To coincide with the UN’s 16 Days of Activism (25 Nov to 10 Dec) and this year’s #OrangetheWorld campaign, we have chosen to share Melissa’s story in the hope that together we can create lasting social change around domestic violence and homelessness. The following […]
