Hope Street have designed an innovative support response to youth homelessness solution that will offer not only a safe home but access to apprenticeships and job training, as well as access to mental health, alcohol and other drugs and wraparound community services.

Homeless to Homemaker is a partnership initiative between Hope Street and the Health and Community Services Union (HACSU), as well as the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union (AMWU), and 3PE Build.

The service delivery model will provide youth-centred wholistic case management support to young people and young families who through self-determination are motivated to work towards their employment, education, health and wellbeing, living skills and social goals as their next step out of homelessness and disadvantage.

There are several key elements and features that set this pilot project apart from other services.  These include, without being limited to:

• A partnership with the trade sector offering industry access to traineeships
• Onsite trainee readiness program
• Onsite health promotion program
• Growing opportunities, not perpetuating hardship/disadvantage e.g. traineeships
• Intensive youth-focused support
• Connection and integration with other specialist services such as headspace, family violence, employment and training.
• Environmental sustainability

Hope Street has an established presence in the City of Melton integrating with the local community to assist young people and families experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness. If successfully implemented this housing offer will add to the services young people can access in the area.