We are delighted to inform you that the Hope Street First Response Youth Mobile Outreach Service in Melton submission has been approved by The Ian Potter Foundation.

The funding is for a total amount of $1.8 million over 5 years and Hope Street was only one of five organisations funded nationally as part of the foundation’s Major Grants round this year.

There is no specialist homelessness crisis response service in the local government area of Melton – it is at least 27km to the nearest homelessness crisis response service and a limited VLine train service severely impacts young people's access to services.

Hope Street is to establish the first innovative youth homelessness and support mobile emergency response service (outreach crisis response, 7 days per week) in the City of Melton growth corridor, with an annual target of 100 young people/families. With the support of the City of Melton, Victoria Police, Centrelink, local businesses, community and government, services will be provided to young people that are holistic, integrated, quality, effective and timely. The Youth Mobile Outreach Service will enhance the emergency response model and service delivery to young people utilising the Hope Street First Response Youth Service in Melton (Youth Refuge) funded by the State Government.

In an interview with Esther Lauaki from Star Weekly, Donna Bennett, Hope Street CEO, said:

This outreach service will provide young people with an immediate response. Our workers will go out to wherever the people are, whether that be in school, at a police station, at the hospital, a friend's house or in a park … we’ll be available seven days a week.

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Hope Street commends The Ian Potter Foundation for their immense support and commitment in partnering with Hope Street to address young people's experience of homelessness and associated disadvantage. This new service will provide significant interventions enabling young people to move out of homelessness towards stability and interdependence.