West Homelessness Network

The North and West Homelessness Network (NWHN) is one of eight regional network across Victoria funded to bring services together to share information, identify common needs and gaps in service provision, and establish close working relationships to promote and assist the best possible response to homelessness within a regional context. Core members are homelessness and family violence agencies receiving funded from the Homelessness Assistance Support Program.

There are two Network Coordinators in the region who manage the Network activities. These positions are auspiced by Wombat Housing and Support Services. A Steering Group made up of representatives from Specialist Homelessness Services, Family Violence services and the auspice agency informs the general direction of the Network.

More information can be found on the NWHN’s website.

The Crisis Accommodation Options Project

The Crisis Accommodation Options Project was funded by the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (the Department), previously the Department of Health and Human Services, to further explore the issue of emergency accommodation, to map the current system, to identify and cost alternative accommodation options and to make recommendations on potential changes to the use of HEF/brokerage to maximise the use of current investment in the North and West to increase the quality of crisis accommodation for people experiencing homelessness. The Project has provided the Sector with the opportunity to explore the use of the Housing Establishment Fund (HEF) within the context of the current housing market; the Sector’s reliance on the private accommodation Sector; and the client experience of HEF in greater detail. The NWLASNs would like to thank the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing for their support throughout the project.

The Report includes 24 recommendations for consideration by government and the homelessness sector.

You can download the report here:
‍Crisis in Crisis II: A Way Forward

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