New consortium launches the Journey to Social Inclusion (J2SI) program across Victoria to end long-term homelessness

J2SI is an innovative and evidence-backed Housing First program that takes a relationship-based approach, provides long-term support and works from the premise that if people can sustain their housing, they have a solid foundation to improving other areas in their lives. It features three years of intensive support that wraps services around the person and places their needs at the centre of service delivery. 

The J2SI program works. Two, three and four years after starting with the J2SI program, 90% of participants have maintained stable housing, and their use of hospital bed days has decreased by 58% compared to the year before commencing support with J2SI. These results confirm that J2SI provides strong housing and health outcomes for people experiencing homelessness. The J2SI outcomes prove it takes ongoing, intensive support to ensure people can sustain their homes and stay out of homelessness for good.  

Sacred Heart Mission has been developing, delivering and enhancing the J2SI program since 2009. Service delivery over time has been funded through philanthropy, self-funding and Social Impact Investment (SII, 2018-2023) and Payment by Results (PbR, 2021-2025) outcome payment contracts with the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH).  

At each stage, J2SI has partnered with other service providers and displayed innovation in service delivery, housing access and funding structures. 

The consortium supported over 100,000 people across the State through local services over the 2023-2024 fiscal year. We have a strong history of successfully partnering with other members to achieve demonstrated outcomes, most recently through delivery of the GreenLight Supporting Housing Program, Pride in Place, Central Highlands Homelessness Alliance and Substance Treatment and Recovery Program.  

These relationships and existing partnerships with health, mental health, legal, LGBTIQ+, family violence and other service providers will be integrated into the consortium approach to enhance the support provided to J2SI participants. Working with these other service providers recognises the complexity of need and range of expertise required to deliver culturally safe responsive services.  

The consortium is actively engaging in the implementation of the Victorian Aboriginal Housing and Homelessness Framework, Mana-na woorn-tyeen maar-takoort.  Ensuring policies and practices, workplaces and services are culturally safe for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and to ensure we are welcoming, inclusive and informed by the strength of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their cultures.  

The consortium will include partnering with Indigenous workers, employed by Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) including Victorian Aboriginal Community Services Association Limited, Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative, Ballarat and District Aboriginal Co-operative and Ngwala Willumbong Aboriginal Corporation. Together, we are working hand-in-hand to ensure our policies, practices, workplaces and services are culturally safe for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff are well supported.

“VACSAL works from the following philosophical base in all its advocacy work and service provision: 

Community and individual choice – Self-Determination and managing change – Strengthening Identity – Strengthening Culture – Strengthening families.” 

“We’re in a housing crisis with unprecedented demand for homelessness services right across Victoria, so it’s never been more important to come together and help more Victorians to escape the cycle of long-term homelessness. 

“Homelessness is not inevitable and it’s through innovative partnerships like J2SI, which Uniting Vic.Tas will be delivering across the Central Highlands, that we’ll be able to make a real impact and a difference providing more people experiencing homelessness with a home of their own.” 

“VincentCare is committed to inclusion and diversity. The J2SI consortium allows us to collaborate for meaningful change. Together, we can amplify our impact, share expertise and deliver culturally responsive solutions for those facing homelessness while advocating for systemic change.” 

“Journey to Social Inclusion is a respected, successful Housing First Program that creates lasting outcomes for people in need. The Salvation Army is pleased to be involved in a partnership with leading service agencies to expanse the service in different regions for greater reach and impact to those who need the service”. 

Holly Cooper 

Communications, Marketing & Advocacy Manager 

communication@sacredheartmission.org