Media Release by The Hon Melissa Parke MP

Providing supported housing in Melbourne

Parliamentary Secretary for Homelessness and Social Housing, Melissa Parke, today visited two supported accommodation facilities working to address homelessness in Melbourne.

Ms Parke said Housing Choices’ Victoria Street Drill Hall project and Home Ground’s Common Ground Elizabeth Street project offer a safe haven for more than 180 people in need in inner-city Melbourne.

“All Australians deserve a safe, secure place to call home,” Ms Parke said.

“The Australian government has invested nearly $20 million to build the Drill Hall project as part of our Social Housing Initiative, and has provided $12.3 million under the National Partnership Agreement on Homelessness (NPAH) for the Elizabeth Street Common Ground project,” she said.

“These projects aim to break the cycle of homelessness by providing homeless people with safe, sustainable housing and the support services they need to get back on their feet.

“Both facilities are located in the heart of Melbourne with public transport, employment and study opportunities at tenants’ doorsteps.”

Ms Parke said the Common Ground Elizabeth Street project and the Drill Hall project give marginalised people the opportunity to participate fully in community life.

“These housing projects offer more than a roof over people’s heads, they provide a community for people to belong to and be involved in,” Ms Parke said.

“Drill Hall project tenants have easy access to a communal hall for social activities and a community health centre all located within the building.

“Common Ground Elizabeth Street offers on-site support services helping people to overcome some of the underlying issues that can cause homelessness.”

Ms Parke said the Australian Government had made homelessness a national priority and has committed to halving the rate of homelessness by 2020.

“These initiatives are delivering an enormous boost to public and not-for-profit community housing, and are assisting around 180 low income tenants in Melbourne.”

Media Contact: Joshua Wilson – 02 6277 2189