Homelessness is a problem far bigger than not having access a safe shelter or a roof over your head. Homelessness also includes vulnerable people and families living in refuges, crisis accommodation, in temporary housing, couch surfing or living in cars.
AV runs a variety of programs that support homeless people or those who are at risk of homelessness. Services include accommodation placement and/or support, crisis/emergency accommodation, housing information and referral, public rental housing, advice and case management.
Our centres provide young people and adults a safe place to seek help and move out of homelessness. We welcome people from all walks of life into our judgement free zones where they can gather, relax, receive assistance and be referred to relevant local services.
St Mark’s Community Centre
Location: 250 George Street, Fitzroy
- 10.30am – 2.30pm Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays open for food parcels
- 10.30am – 2.30pm Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, and 10.30am – 12.30pm Fridays open for Homeless Drop-in Service in the hall
We provide a safe comfortable place for homeless and disadvantaged people to gather have a cuppa and a chat, a rest, a meal, read, play cards, board games and recreation activities.
St Marks aims to create an environment where people can meet, socialise and relax as well as providing opportunities to connect with professional services.
Services Available at St Mark’s
- Food parcels
- Shower facilities
- Washing machines & tumble dryers
- PBS prescription vouchers
- Lunch
- Referrals to other services
- Clothing vouchers
- Community chaplaincy
- Washing service
- Toiletries
- Pet Food
- Fortnightly Barber and Masseuse (Mondays)
- Fortnightly Art Therapist (Mondays)
- Kerbside Library
- Orange Sky (Mondays and Wednesdays)
- Centrelink community engagement
- Recreation opportunities
PBS Prescriptions
Up to 60 PBS Prescriptions per year can be paid for through the Government Co-Payment Prescription Scheme. This is limited to those who are homeless or in transitional housing. This scheme is not available to those in Commonwealth/Ministry of Housing, private rental or who own their own homes. The PBS scheme includes most contraceptive pills, but not the Morning After Pill, Methadone or Buprenorphine.
Advocacy
Supporting individuals in expressing their wants and needs when they do not have the capacity to do so themselves.
Case Work
Providing contextually appropriate support to individuals that are homeless and short term tenancy support for those at risk of becoming homeless.
Centrelink Community Engagement
A Centrelink representative is available at St Marks every Monday from 10.30-12pm. This service assists customers who have particular barriers preventing them from accessing mainstream Centrelink Services and require alternative approaches.
St Peters Eastern Hill
15 Gisborne St, East Melbourne
Breakfast Program | 7.30am – 9am daily
The breakfast program is for those who are homeless in the City of Greater Melbourne and is available 365 days of the year. People can access links to other services, receive help in finding accommodation and assistance with pharmacy or medical costs.
St Peter’s Hall is open Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays as a sit-down service, with Bacon and Eggs BBQ provided on Wednesdays and continental breakfast on the other weekdays.
The breakfast program operates as a takeaway service over the weekend with toasted sandwiches and hot drinks available to takeaway.
St Peter’s Hall is open on Wednesdays and Thursdays as a sit-down service, with a cooked breakfast provided on Wednesdays and continental breakfast on Thursdays.
Heaven at the Hill | 8am – 1pm
Heaven at the Hill is an AV social enterprise. They serve delicious coffee from a van in East Melbourne and also provide a gourmet food catering service.
People experiencing barriers to employment are offered real work experience, learning from professionals.
Eastern Hill Breakfast Program
Advocating on behalf of homeless people
Anglicare Victoria advocates on behalf of individuals who are homeless and those that are at risk of becoming homeless by supporting them in expressing their wants and needs when they do not have the capacity to.
Anglicare Victoria is part of the Everybody’s Home campaign, which aims to halve homelessness within five years and end it within a decade. Many of our services – from emergency relief to financial counselling and youth refuges – actively prevent homelessness and help people get back on their feet.
Anglicare Victoria’s CEO Paul McDonald leads the national Home Stretch campaign to extend care to the age of 21 for all those in foster, kinship or residential care. This single reform could halve homelessness and vastly improve the employment prospects of this vulnerable group of young people.
