Search
Close this search box.

Homelessness Support

We provide comprehensive support and assistance to individuals experiencing homelessness.

What We Do

MASP Homelessness Support programs assist people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness to find a safe and secure place to live. We understand that everyone is unique, and we offer different program options to choose from, as well as tailor-made plans to suit.

In addition to individual support and planning, some of our programs can provide flexible funds to assist people in accessing and maintaining their housing.
If you or someone you know would like to talk to us about homelessness prevention and support, our friendly staff will welcome your enquiry.

Housing Access Program

What is the aim of the program?

The Housing Access program is available to young people aged 15-25 years who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and in need of specialist support to access suitable accommodation. The program also assists adults over 26 years of age in NSW, and where additional referral criteria is met in Victoria (see “how can you access the program?”). MASP offices are in Mildura, (VIC) serving Mildura municipality and surrounding suburbs, and in Dareton (NSW), serving Wentworth municipality, Gol Gol, Buronga, Dareton, and Balranald.

Our staff can help with

  • Understanding and navigating the housing support system.
  • Finding and accessing safe housing options. 
  • Preventing homelessness. 
  • Safety planning.
  • Access to other community programs such as parenting assistance and disability support.
  • Keeping a tenancy.

Who is the program for?

Housing Access provides assistance to people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and are:

  • Young people located in Victoria aged 15-25 years.
  • Victorian residents aged over 26 years who have been referred by Haven Home Safe to the Mildura program.
  • NSW residents who wish to access the Housing Access NSW program.

How can you access the program?

Services and supports are delivered flexibly. The length of involvement can vary from as little as a few days to several months, depending upon need.

Self Referral

Agency Referral

How can you access the program?

Housing Access Victoria

  • Young people aged between 15-25 years can access the program by telephoning us on 03 5021 6500 and asking for an intake appointment, or by emailing info@masp.org.au
  • Professionals can refer a young person by telephoning us on 03 5021 6500. 
  • Adults over 26 years, can access the program on referral from Haven Home Safe. Haven Home Safe is located at 143A Lime Avenue Mildura. 

Housing Access NSW

  • The NSW program can accept referrals for all ages. 
  • Community members can access the program by telephoning us on 03 5021 6500 and asking to speak to Housing Access Worker in NSW to arrange an intake appointment or by emailing info@masp.org.au.
  • Professionals can make a referral by telephoning or emailing nswreferrals@masp.org.au.

Our purpose in action

*Chelsea aged 21 years, and her two-year-old son James, met with a MASP housing support worker when their rental property was sold, and Chelsea was unable to find affordable housing rendering them homeless.

Chelsea explained that she was a sole parent with very few support people in her life and no-one locally. James was born with complex medical issues, and Chelsea was providing full-time care whilst living on Centrelink payments. Adding to their difficulties, the house they were renting was damp and poorly ventilated making James’s medical issues worse, and Chelsea was experiencing significant health concerns related to worry and financial distress.

After meeting the family, the MASP housing support worker was able to access a transitional property affording Chelsea and James several months of secure accommodation. The worker helped Chelsea to apply for public housing and advocated strongly on Chelsea’s behalf. Five months later, Chelsea received and accepted an offer of public housing. 

Financial assistance was arranged to support Chelsea with medical expenses and travel for James, and Chelsea was referred to family services for parenting support and service coordination.

Within six months of entering the program, Chelsea and James were living in a secure and affordable home and had access to support services for James. Chelsea’s mental health and confidence had dramatically improved, and James was thriving.

*Information has been de-identified.

Care Finder
(Housing and Homelessness)

What is the aim of the program?

Care Finder provides specialist and intensive assistance to older people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, who are eligible for my aged care, and need help to access services and supports.

Who is the program for?

People who may be eligible for Care Finder include those who:

  • Need help with one or more everyday tasks. 
  • Are aged 65 years or older (50 years or older for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people) OR are 50 years or older (45 years or older for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people) on a low income or at risk of being homeless and 
  • Have one or more reasons for requiring intensive support to interact with My Aged Care, access aged care services and/or other relevant supports in the community. 
  • Are experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

Reasons for intensive support may include:

  • Isolation or absence of a support person.
  • Communication barriers, including limited English language or literacy skills. 
  • Difficulty processing information to make decisions. 
  • Resistance to engage with aged care, where there are current or future concerns for a person’s safety, including possible homelessness.
  • Hesitance to engage with government and institutions due to past discrimination or trauma. 

How can you access the program?

Community members can access the Care Finder program by contacting the MASP Care Finder support worker by phone, e-mail or appointment. 

Self Referral

Agency Referral

Family Reconciliation

Intensive case management for indigenous tenancies (ICMIT)

What is the aim of the program?

ICMIT supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who are living in Department of Families Fairness and Housing (DFFH) public housing or an Aboriginal Housing Victoria property and are at risk of losing their tenancy. The aim of the program is to keep Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people safe in their homes.

The ICMIT program is culturally safe, flexible, and tailored to each person. It can involve:

  • Providing information about tenancy rights and responsibilities.
  • Negotiating with housing providers.
  • Working alongside specialist Aboriginal services.
  • Arranging parenting support, social support, and health services.
  • Helping to organise property maintenance.
  • Working out a budget.
  • Working on living skills such as cooking, shopping, and household routines.
  • Problem solving together.
  •  

 

Who is the program for?

This program supports: 

  • People who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
  • And are tenants of DFFH Public Housing or Aboriginal Housing Victoria 
  • And are at risk of losing their housing.

How can you access the program?

Referrals to the program are accepted from DFFH and Aboriginal Housing Vic.

Our trained Family Reconciliation worker can help by:

Facilitating safe conversations
Developing support plans
Referring to support services
Supporting access to alternative housing and other systems of care
Preventing young people from becoming homeless

Intensive Case Management for Indigenous Tenancies (ICMIT)

What is the aim of the program?

ICMIT supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who are living in Department of Families Fairness and Housing (DFFH) public housing or an Aboriginal Housing Victoria property and are at risk of losing their tenancy. The aim of the program is to keep Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people safe in their homes.

The ICMIT program is culturally safe, flexible, and tailored to each person. It can involve:

  • Providing information about tenancy rights and responsibilities.
  • Negotiating with housing providers.
  • Working alongside specialist Aboriginal services.
  • Arranging parenting support, social support, and health services.
  • Helping to organise property maintenance.
  • Working out a budget.
  • Working on living skills such as cooking, shopping, and household routines.
  • Problem solving together.

Who is the program for?

This program supports: 

  • People who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.
  • And are tenants of DFFH Public Housing or Aboriginal Housing Victoria.
  • And are at risk of losing their housing.

How can you access the program?

Referrals to the program are accepted from DFFH and Aboriginal Housing Vic.

Agency Referral