Housing and Homelessness
Homelessness means that you do not have housing that is safe, secure and affordable. Being homeless can include ‘sleeping rough’ (nowhere to stay) or moving from home to home staying temporarily with others (couch surfing). Everyone has the right to have a safe and stable home. If you do not, there are people who can assist.
At any one time a significant number of people are homeless in this community. Of these, a large proportion is young people who might still be attending school and appear to be living quite normal lives. People try and hide the fact that they are homeless for fear of being judged by others.
The major cause of homelessness is family conflict/ break down and poverty. Family Reconciliation services are available to assist families to resolve conflict before it becomes too severe.
Remember that there are services within the community available to assist.More Information >>
Wayss Youth Support Services
1. Youth Support Program that provides assessment, case managed support and referrals for young people 16-25 years who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.2. Step Ahead Program Intensive long term case managed support.
3. Emergency Youth Accommodation 10 bed congregate care facility providing case managed support.
Supported Accommodation Assistance Program (SAAP)
Youth Links SAAP Team assists homeless and at risk of homelessness young people to overcome and reduce the challenges to obtain and maintain suitable and affordable housing. The SAAP program aims to provide the best possible service to meet individual client needs by encouraging young people to make informed choices and decisions, to learn independent living skills and to take control of their lives.
Bunurong Health Service/Dandenong and District Aborigines Cooperative Ltd (DDACL)
Provides - Youth Group, which & can be accessed by younger Aboriginal people, runs on Monday evenings.The Koori Maternity Services and Aboriginal Best Start programs support young mothers with ante and post natal care and enable them to participate in community services.