Homelessness remains one of the most pressing social challenges in Victoria, with thousands of people without a safe and secure place to call home.
For many, the barriers to accessing support are overwhelming. Complex service systems, mental health challenges, and the stigma of homelessness often prevent people from seeking the help they need. That’s where Uniting’s Street2Home program steps in.
What is Street2Home?
Street2Home is an assertive outreach program operated by Uniting in the Central Highlands and Wimmera regions.
Assertive outreach programs, like Street2Home, actively go out into the community, helping those that are sleeping rough, living in their cars or experiencing instability without a permanent home.
Every day the teams travel across the region offering immediate support and assistance.
The past financial year alone, the Central Highlands program supported 177 individuals, including children, young people, families and older adults.
This is how just one day can look for the team:
- Travelled over 240km to support 28 people into regional housing
- Travelled over 190km to help rough sleepers
- Secured 2 long-term housing offers
- Supported 2 women experiencing family violence
- Prevented 1 rental scam
- Answered 30 client calls
The people behind the program.
Meet Ada. She is a fierce advocate and dedicated Assertive Outreach Worker in Uniting’s Street2Home team in the Central Highlands.
“People think homelessness is just someone sleeping rough,” Ada explains. “But it’s so much more than that. It’s people in cars, couch surfing, or in crisis accommodation. It’s men, women, and children. Homelessness doesn’t have a single look.”
Many of the people Ada supports have never had a home before. “Finding a home is just the first step. Long-term, wrap-around support is crucial to help people exit homelessness for good.”
Building trust is at the heart of Ada’s work. “You’re often the first person they’ve trusted in a long time. The first person they feel safe enough to share their story with.”
That trust opens the door to practical help: food, toiletries, and pathways to supportive housing. “Whether someone’s been homeless for 6 months or 6 years, that has an impact on who you are.”
Ada knows the challenges associated with homelessness are complex: mental health struggles, family violence, trauma, and social isolation. But giving up is never an option. “If we give up, they’ll give up. So, we don’t. We explore every possible avenue.”
Her message to the community is clear: “Homelessness doesn’t discriminate. People who are homeless are people too. They deserve and need your kindness.”
Ada wants everyone to remember one thing: “Nobody chooses to be homeless. It’s the result of circumstances beyond their control. They didn’t choose that.”
Building a new beginning.
When Uniting’s Street2Home team found Lisa* she was living in a tent in the bush with her 3 children, aged 10 months, 2 and 9. After fleeing a violent relationship, she had no safe place to go and was doing everything she could to protect her young kids. When her children became sick, worry for their health grew and the fear of failing as a mother became overwhelming.
Street2Home stepped in, arranging crisis accommodation and later helping Lisa secure a private rental. They didn’t stop at housing, providing wrap around support such as help with groceries, paying bills and mental health care to ensure the family had everything they needed to stay safe.
For Lisa, even the simplest comforts felt like milestones: the relief of a hot shower after putting the kids to bed and the quiet of a cuppa on the couch. These simple things meant Lisa could shift from surviving to rebuilding, creating a home for her family to thrive.
*This is a true story about real people. Some details such as names have been changed to respect the wishes of the person featured.
