b'Finding a way forwardPartnering to provide for families wrap-around servicesEarly Help Family Service (EHFS) focuses onThe Homelessness to a Home (H2H) program providing support to families with childrenwas a Victorian Government initiative, that aged 0-18 years with a range of interventionsprovided medium-term housing and supportto depending on each familys circumstance.people experiencing homelessness who were Helping early can be a great way to preventaccommodated in hotels during the COVID-19 issues becoming more stressful, and can includepandemic. The H2H teams worked closely with support for new parents with routines, sleep andthese people to secure long-term tenancy and mealtimes, support connecting to local services,adopted a shared care planning approach to parenting support groups, and help addressingengage with primary health, mental health, worry and stress within families. Uniting deliversvocational and other support services. EHFS in Croydon and Horsham for familiesIn Geelong and Frankston, our Alcohol and who may need assistance navigating the healthOther Drugs (AOD) team joined local H2H system, finding social connection, and buildingteams, giving us the opportunity to strengthen parental confidence. partnerships and develop new ones and build understanding of a partnership approach to Keeping the lights on providing wrap-around services. With cost of living pressures on the rise, theFor example, our AOD services teams haveEnergy Support and Advocacy Program hassince expanded our interventions to be moreBreaking housing stigmasoffered some relief to people across Victoria andaccessible and responsive to consumers Tasmania struggling to keep up with their energyexperiencing homelessness who may needbills. Uniting partners with energy retailers andto access our other services. distributors to provide energy assessments andWe hope our capacity building will in turnFor over 20 years, Kelli has called the towers home.advice for people in their homes, supportingsupport our sector partners in housingthem to address any arrears, understand theirand homelessness, mental health and Ive lived in social housing for more than If people are behind in rent, or face evictions, energy use and uncover ways they can be moreAboriginal and Torres Strait Islander services 20 years. My kids grew up in social housing. we help them, and maintain their homes so energy efficient.in enhancing awareness of how best to work I love it, she said.that they can continue living happily. This year, we appeared on ABC News Breakfastwith people experiencing harms associated I absolutely identify as someone who lives inBecause I live in social housing, it givesto share tips on reducing energy usage in winter,with their AOD use. social housing and I think a lot of people see itme a good foundation for the job. Thatswhen power bills tend to be at their highest.as a negative thing.really important.Advocacy on behalf of the consumer is alsoMore about our homelessness Especially during COVID, the way the mediaKellis new role has given her purposeprovided, including assistance to apply for theand crisis support services portrayed us was unkind and untrue. Peopleand independence.Power Saving Bonusa $250 rebate that issay, you need to get out, you need to move, available to all Victorians with an energy bill and some have, but we chose to stay.Having secure employment means I canin their name.start affording things that I wouldnt haveAssisting consumers to navigate their energyWithin the Melbourne public housing towers,had before, she said. use and understand concessions and debt reliefKelli and her children founded a community.Im a single mum, with one child left at home. support that is available, empowers them withWhere I live, its very close-knit and thatIts about me finding independence. There are the knowledge and skills to feel better equippedmakes it more of a community. Everyonethings that I want to do with my life. to manage their future energy use and bills. knows each other, she said. Kelli shares a message to those who may be Kelli (pictured) not only lives in social housing,feeling lost in their search for employment. its now her place of work. To those people who want to work, and face Kelli was referred to Unitings Social HousingbarriersI would say youve got to try to find Employment Program (SHEP), a program somebody to help you, you dont have to do that assists people living in social housing, things on your own. she said. or facing barriers.Uniting is very supportive of people inThey offered training and help with [job]social housing, theyre definitely with youapplications. They were in touch with me all the way.quite often, said Kelli. Kelli has now moved into a role helping othersFind out moreliving in social housing.18 Uniting Vic.Tas and Uniting Housing Annual Report'