• ››Home
• ››About Us
• ››Support Us
• ››Working With Us
• ››Contact Us

SHIFT acknowledges that homelessness is often symptomatic of a range of other issues and endeavours to work in partnership with the service user in a manner that promotes client dignity and assists the client to achieve autonomy in his/her life. Funding for the service is through the Supported Accommodation Assistance Program.

In addition to the homelessness program SHIFT also receives some funding from Federal Department of Families, Communities Services, Housing and Indigenous Affairs to provide emergency relief to financially disadvantaged residents in suburbs of Glen Waverley, Mt. Waverley and Mulgrave (postcodes 3150, 3149 and 3170). Assistance is usually in the form of a payment towards an overdue utility bill, telephone bill, pharmaceutical costs or educational expenses. This service is strictly by appointment only.

Who can access the service

SHIFT works primarily with homeless families and also single adults aged
23 — 55.

In the Eastern Metropolitan Region entry into the homelessness service system is via The Homelessness Front Door (HFD), a centralised intake system which prioritises clients according to level of need. The support that SHIFT provides is attached to specific transitional properties. A family may proceed through the HFD and be offered a transitional property supported by SHIFT. Most of SHIFT clients are residing in transitional properties but on occasions there is capacity to provide outreach support. Due to a requirement that 85% of SHIFT clients be referred via the HFD, people seeking support would be encouraged to call the HFD on 1300 558 484.

How SHIFT works

SHIFT adopts a case-management model to support the client in addressing identified issues, such as:
• Fleeing family violence
• Disability — physical, mental, sensory
• Serious illness
• Family breakdown
• Past trauma
• Recent release from an institution
• Substance abuse

In achieving sustainable outcomes, a holistic approach is necessary to ensure that the needs of each family member are addressed. SHIFT has traditionally had a strong focus on supporting accompanying children who are among the most disadvantaged in society. In addition to being exposed to issues facing their parents, they may have experienced abuse, grief and loss issues as well as transience and frequent disruption to schooling. SHIFT also assists clients to access stable and secure housing. When clients finally obtain permanent housing, workers assist them to integrate into the local community through linkages and referrals to appropriate services and resources.

How the Service Benefits the Community

The lives of homeless people are often crisis-driven and chaotic as they struggle to survive without the comforts of a home. Often socially isolated and marginalised, they are unable to participate in society in a meaningful way. Accompanying children are often denied opportunities to enable them to develop to their full potential. The cost of homelessness in terms of loss of contribution and lack of social cohesion results in a poorer and fragmented society.

In endeavouring to break the cycle of homelessness, SHIFT clients are assisted to obtain stability and autonomy over their own lives. Choices and opportunities that were unavailable to them whilst homeless begin to emerge. They are often able to provide a more nurturing and stable environment for their children, develop connection with community and live more productive and satisfying lives. Social inclusion and participation of all makes for a more cohesive, harmonious and enriched community.