Welcome to our new quarterly homelessness sector newsletter, In Sight. It aims to keep you informed about the latest housing and homelessness news, while highlighting all the things which make the sector great.

During Homelessness Week in August, the Premier announced his new Cabinet, with Nick Staikos MP appointed Minister for Homelessness. This is the first time Homelessness has been included as a specific Victorian ministerial portfolio. A move that highlights greater priority focus on homelessness programs across the state. This includes the recent news to expand assertive outreach services to support people sleeping rough and create more pathways into stable housing. Minister Staikos also retains Housing and Building and adds Precincts and Seniors to his portfolio responsibilities.

Recently the Premier and the Minister unveiled a 6-point homelessness plan which aims to strengthen homelessness responses through greater emphasis on prevention, early intervention, evidence and person-centred design and delivery.

Homelessness Week recognises the commitment and compassion of the homelessness workforce – in particular, front-line staff who work every day to support Victorians experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

This year the theme for Homelessness Week was ‘Homelessness Action Now’, a timely reminder that lasting change requires sustained collaboration, evidence-informed responses and a shared commitment to improving outcomes for people doing it tough in our communities.

Homes Victoria has also undergone some structural changes over the past months. All teams are now fully operational, including a new restructured Homelessness and Sustained Housing Outcomes branch.

We’re also embracing new approaches to get more people at risk of or experiencing homelessness housed sooner. For the first time, we’re combining digital fabrication with conventional construction, including Australia’s first 3D-printed social housing home – part of our broader commitment to modern methods of construction.

To that end, we’re getting more people into homes than ever and helping create more pathways into stable housing. This year, we’ve exceeded our social housing target, delivering 2,311 new social homes. That’s more than 6 homes every day. 
Thank you for your continued dedication and partnership in supporting Victorians experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity. If there are topics you would like to see featured in future editions or feedback you would like to share, we’d love to hear from you.