As the demand for affordable housing increases in Victoria, the not-for-profit sector will play an important role in preventing and reducing homelessness.
Accreditation
Organisations that provide homelessness assistance, family violence assistance and other case-managed support services that are funded by us must be accredited. For more information, see Human services standards policy in Related resources.
Standards and guidelines
Standards and guidelines are designed to assist funded agencies to deliver services and manage business in accordance with program objectives and funding conditions.
As from 1 July 2012 the Homelessness Assistance Service Standards were replaced by the Human Services Standards. All funded organisations in scope will need to transition to these standards.
Training
The Victorian Government provides training and development to organisations to ensure they have the skills to deliver the most efficient and effective service for people in need. For more information, see Housing community workers.
Housing Establishment Fund
The Housing Establishment Fund (HEF) is available to Transitional Housing Management (THM) agencies and Homelessness Support Program agencies to assist eligible clients to access overnight accommodation or private rental accommodation. For more information, see Housing Establishment Fund.
Victorian Housing Register
The Victorian Housing Register (the register) sees all new and existing public housing applications form part of the register. Department of Families, Fairness and Housing staff use the Victorian Housing Register to manage and allocate public housing properties to clients.
Referrals to community housing under the referral protocol will also be drawn from the Victorian Housing Register.
For policy questions about VHR eligibility and operational guidelines, please fill in the online form to contact a housing office.
For assistance in using the online housing application form please call 1800 149 361.
Read more about the Victorian Housing Register on the Funded Agency Channel website.
From Homelessness to a Home (H2H)
The From Homelessness to a Home (H2H) program is an opportunity to make a significant, lasting impact on homelessness and rough sleeping in Victoria.
The From Homelessness to a Home (H2H) program aims to provide 1,845 households with access to stable medium and long term housing and support packages. These housing and support packages are for people experiencing homelessness who resided in emergency accommodation due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Many of the people supported in emergency accommodation have experienced long-term homelessness, trauma and disadvantage and have complex needs. The H2H program provides the affordable housing and support they need to promote their health and wellbeing and prevent a return to rough sleeping.
Homes For Families (H4F)
The Homes for Families (H4F) program will provide up to 250 families with children experiencing homelessness who were residing in emergency accommodation due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic as at or on 25 October 2021 with access to stable medium- and long-term housing and integrated support packages.
Following Housing First principles, the primary aim of H4F is to house families as quickly as possible to prevent further harm from living in emergency accommodation. Securing a safe place to live means recovery can start, and support needs can be addressed.
Children in families experiencing homelessness are at increased risk of harm and have an increased likelihood of developing mental health issues, physical illness, post-traumatic stress, and related disorders. The H4F model of support aims to sustainably improve the safety, health, and well-being of a whole family and individual members of that family in an integrated and holistic way.
- Homes For Families (H4F) Program Guidelines - as of 31 October 2022