The State Government granted more than 570 LGBTIQA+ Victorians who were at risk of homelessness a safe and inclusive housing support as part of the state government’s Pride in Place program.
Housing and Equality Minister Harriet Shing visited Ozanam House Accommodation and Homelessness Resource Centre in North Melbourne on Tuesday 26 March to tour the centre and see the innovative Pride in Place program in action.
Led by VincentCare Victoria and Drummond Street Queerspace Services in partnership with Family Access Network and Uniting.Vic.Tas, Pride in Place currently operates right across Victoria.
Victorians who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and gender diverse, intersex, queer or asexual are twice as likely to be at risk of, or experience, homelessness.
The Housing and Equality Minister Harriet Shing said it’s important for all members of the community to feel safe and supported.
“Having safe, affirming support from staff and homelessness services who understand the nuances of being a member of the LGBTIQA+ community is vital to ensuring LGBTIQA+ Victorians can live an authentic and full life,” she said.
In 2022 the Labor Government committed $3 million for a culturally safe and inclusive homelessness service to support LGBTIQA+ people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
The Northern Metropolitan Region Member Sheena Watt said the program Pride in Place has supported more than 570 LGBTIQA+ people right across Victoria.
“It helps them get the support they need – whether that’s housing, crisis accommodation or financial support,” she said.
Since that time Pride in Place has provided support including crisis accommodation, flexible funds for rent and access to accommodation packages at Ozanam House.
It also engages LGBTIQA+ peer navigators with lived experience of homelessness to support program participants.
The CEO of St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria Group Dr Jennifer Fitzgerald AM said VincentCare believes equality, safety and respect are not negotiable and is proud to co-lead the Pride in Place consortium.
“Which we know helps LGBTIQA+ community access housing in a safe and respectful way,” she said.
Pride in Place also engaged with the wider homelessness sector, providing consultations and training to 50 non-LGBTIQA+ services, building their ability to deliver safe and inclusive responses.
Pride in Place is part of the Labor Government’s 10-year Pride in our future: Victoria’s LGBTIQA+ strategy 2022 to 2032, striving for Victorian services to be equitable, inclusive and accessible for LGBTIQA+ communities.
The Drummond Street Services CEO Karen Field said the program is crucial for creating more diversity and inclusion.
“Pride in Place has enabled Queerspace Drummond Street Services to provide vital support to LGBTIQA+ folk with multiple intersecting identities in the housing sector where we know they are disproportionately disadvantaged,” she said.
