Homelessness Youth Dual Diagnosis Initiative (HYDDI)
Within the organisation’s crisis youth refuges, Hope Street are fortunate to have a Homeless Youth Dual Diagnosis Initiative (HYDDI) senior mental health practitioner, co-located at the refuge sites.
The HYDDI enhances the capacity of youth Specialist Homelessness Services workers in Melbourne’s north and west, including Hope Street staff, to identify and respond to the complex needs of young people experiencing homelessness. By fostering partnerships between mental health, drug and alcohol, and youth homelessness services, HYDDI provides confidential specialist assessments, case manager support, co-case management for clients with complex needs, and targeted training. Through early intervention and collaboration, the initiative strengthens service responses to young people facing dual diagnosis challenges.
The core aim of HYDDI is to support the capacity building of Youth Specialist Homelessness Services (YSHS) providers to work with young people experiencing homelessness who have mental health and/or substance related issues.
The long-standing valuable partnership fostered through Melbourne Health, Orygen and Hope Street ensures young people experiencing homelessness have access to integrated support, combining mental health, substance use, and homelessness services to provide early intervention, holistic care, and better long-term outcomes.
The HYDDI role includes:
- Capacity building/service navigation provided to YSHS providers
- Secondary consultations provided to YSHS practitioners or Adult Mental Health Service (AMHS) clinicians
- Direct treatment provided to young people whose needs are not being met by mental health services, or by other services
- Liaison between Youth Specialist Homelessness Services and Area Mental Health Services
Homeless Person’s Program – Bolton Clarke
For many years, the presence of a visiting Bolton Clarke nurse at Hope Street’s Youth Residential Refuge in Brunswick West, funded through the Homeless Persons Program, has been life-changing for many young people experiencing homelessness and crisis. Access to a healthcare professional within a safe, familiar and trusted environment removes many of the barriers that vulnerable young people face when seeking medical support. It reduces the intimidation and stigma often associated with mainstream health services and encourages young people to seek assistance for physical health concerns, mental health challenges, sexual health needs, substance use issues and general wellbeing.
The regular presence of a nurse provides early intervention, health education and ongoing support, ensuring health issues are identified and addressed before they escalate into more serious conditions. This not only improves immediate health outcomes but also builds young people’s confidence and capacity to engage with healthcare services independently in the future. By supporting young people to maintain their health and wellbeing, the nursing service contributes to greater stability, improved engagement in education, employment and community participation, and ultimately supports positive long-term life outcomes.
For young families residing in Hope Street services, access to a visiting nurse is equally invaluable. The nurse provides guidance and support around infant and child health, immunisations, maternal wellbeing, nutrition and child development, helping young parents navigate the challenges of parenthood while experiencing housing instability. Early health interventions and connections to specialist services help ensure children receive the care they need during critical stages of development, while empowering young parents with knowledge, confidence and practical support.
Hope Street is fortunate to have Bolton Clarke nurses visiting not only the Youth Residential Refuge in Brunswick West, but also the First Response Youth Refuge in Melton and the First Response Youth Refuge in Whittlesea. Across these services, the nursing program plays a vital role in improving health outcomes, strengthening engagement with healthcare, and supporting young people and young families to build healthier, more stable futures.