Elizabeth Street Common Ground Supportive Housing in
Melbourne
Melbourne ( , ; Boonwurrung language, Boonwurrung/ or ) is the List of Australian capital cities, capital and List of cities in Australia by population, most populous city of the States and territories of Australia, Australian state of Victori ...
,
Victoria, Australia
Victoria, commonly abbreviated as Vic, is a state in southeastern Australia. It is the second-smallest state (after Tasmania), with a land area of ; the second-most-populated state (after New South Wales), with a population of over 7 million; ...
is a supportive housing project that will provide 161 individuals and families with homes in
Elizabeth Street, Melbourne
Elizabeth Street is one of the main streets in the Melbourne central business district, Victoria, Australia, part of the Hoddle Grid laid out in 1837. It is presumed to have been named in honour of governor Richard Bourke's wife.
The street is ...
by September 2010.
The project is a partnership between the Victorian government which has provided the majority of capital funding; the Federal Government, which has provided capital funding under the ‘A Place to Call Home’ program; the Victorian Property Fund; Yarra Community Housing,
a registered housing association, as owner and landlord;
HomeGround Services, a registered housing provider and the support services manager; and construction company
Grocon
Grocon is an Australian property development, property developer, construction, contractor and Investment management, funds management company that is privately owned by the Bruno Grollo, Grollo family. Founded in Melbourne in 1948, it expanded ...
, who are constructing the development at cost. Other partners are providing support through in-kind and pro bono services and funding for support services.
Elizabeth Street Common Ground will be an eleven storey building providing 131 homes based on the Common Ground model of
supportive housing
Supportive housing is a combination of housing and services intended as a cost-effective way to help people live more stable, productive lives, and is an active "community services and funding" stream across the United States. It was developed by ...
and another 30 affordable homes available to families. The building will provide operational offices for partner organisations as well as community facilities for tenants and a green roof garden.
Supportive Housing
Elizabeth Street Common Ground Supportive Housing is based on a model of supportive housing known as the
Common Ground model. This has been adapted from its original form in the US to suit Melbourne’s particular conditions.
Common Ground housing aims to provide a safe, secure, affordable and permanent housing option to people who have experienced chronic
homelessness
Homelessness, also known as houselessness or being unhoused or unsheltered, is the condition of lacking stable, safe, and functional housing. It includes living on the streets, moving between temporary accommodation with family or friends, liv ...
. Specifically, the project seeks to reduce the number of chronically homeless in Melbourne by providing a place where services are located on-site and support is provided in relation to mental health services, employment assistance and medical referrals. It is a facility with 24-hour concierge services, providing a permanent home. Each tenant will be linked to specific support services to suit their needs and situation.
Supportive housing has proven to be an effective solution to ending chronic homelessness for people who have high and complex needs and who have struggled to access and maintain housing in the past.
Common Ground New York
Elizabeth Street Common Ground Supportive Housing project has connections with
Common Ground (NYC)
Breaking Ground, formerly Common Ground, is a nonprofit social services organization in New York City whose goal is to create high-quality permanent and transitional housing for the homeless. Its philosophy holds that supportive housing costs su ...
.
References
External links
Norman Disney & Young - services engineersYarra Community HousingHomeGround ServicesGroconDepartment of Human Services - Office of HousingCommon Ground Adelaide (Australia)
Mercy Foundation (Australia)Elizabeth Street Common Ground Supportive HousingElizabeth Street Common Ground - External Photo
{{coord, 37, 48, 10, S, 144, 57, 30, E, region:AU-VIC_type:landmark, display=title
Elizabeth Street, Melbourne