Please note, during the coronavirus pandemic we are continuing to provide emergency relief and taking donations. If you need support or would like to donate food or items, please call Anglicare Victoria’s Head Office 1800 809 722. We are collecting financial donations so we can deliver relief to the growing number of people needing assistance. Please donate today.
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
250 George Street, Fitzroy | 10.30am – 2.30pm Monday -Friday.
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 prescriptions
- Lunch
- Referrals to other services
- Clothing vouchers
- Community chaplaincy
- Washing service
- Toiletries
- cohealth street doctor
- 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 Wednesday from 12.30-2.30pm. This service assists customers who have particular barriers preventing them from accessing mainstream Centrelink Services and require alternative approaches.
Cohealth Street Doctor Service
cohealth’s “Street Doctor” visits St Marks on a fortnightly basis and supports those that are sleeping rough, couch surfing or living in boarding houses. This is a free service and no appointment is required.
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.
Health Time BBQ | 11am – 1pm each Friday (currently on hold due to Covid restrictions)
An early lunch is provided as well as the opportunity to meet with workers from local health, wellbeing, legal and housing organisations.
Heaven at the Hill | 8am – 2pm
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.
