VincentCare Victoria

As the cost-of-living crisis continues to impact us all, more families and individuals are reaching out to Vinnies for essential support to make ends meet. Many are struggling to put food on the table, secure educational resources for their children, or even keep the lights on. Over the past year, we've provided over $6 million in assistance to help people in need manage these rising costs. But we can’t do it alone. Thank you to everyone who has helped us support Victorian families this year. 🙏 Every donation lifts families up and gives them a chance at a more stable future. If you can, please donate to our Christmas Appeal ➡️ https://bit.ly/3UyblJQ

🏠📈 October 7 marked International Tenants Day and Victoria's housing crisis is still continuing to deprive many of the basic human right to safe and secure housing. Here's some facts surrounding the Rental landscape in Victoria: • Rents surged by 9.6% in the past year, with the highest increases in Dandenong (16.2%), Tullamarine-Broadmeadows (14.1%) and Whittlesea-Wallan (14%) • Only 300 properties across Melbourne were affordable for a family with one parent earning the minimum wage. • Only 100 properties across Victoria were affordable for individuals on income support • Only 4.4% of total housing in Australia is considered social housing in comparison to the Netherlands which provides 34.1% This crisis has direct repercussions for the people we support. Rent increases are not just numbers on a page: they translate to real people skipping meals, forgoing essential utilities and making heart-wrenching choices between shelter and sustenance. With the 2025 Federal Election approaching, it's time to consider the importance of housing policies and their role in ensuring safe, secure, and affordable housing for all. #InternationalTenantsDay

Meet Alan West! 👋 An extraordinary example of how one person's vision can make vital resources easily accessible, empowering individuals and families while uniting the community in support. Alan is a dedicated member of the St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria and the creator of "Pocket Full of Help"—a compact, foldable directory of essential services in Ballarat. Alan created Pocket Full of Help to make it easier for people to access vital resources from food assistance to Myki top-ups and mental health support, all from “a little book that goes in your pocket,” as he describes it. He ensured that the directory included a broad range of support services focused on areas such as homelessness, the NDIS, legal assistance, food, mental health, utilities, financial aid, and more. His goal was to make it useful not just for people experiencing homelessness or people needing rental assistance, but also for families who may have a child or grandparent in need of other support. Alan didn’t stop there—what started as a simple initiative has grown into something larger. He brought the directory to life through the Hall Full of Help event, held on Thursday, 17 October, at St Patrick’s Hall in Ballarat. The event saw over 48 support services gather in Ballarat and nearly 500 community members. We are incredibly grateful to Alan West for his dedication and vision in creating Pocket Full of Help. His work has not only provided essential information to those in need but has also brought the community together. 💙 #PocketFullOfHelp #SupportServices #CityofBallarat

VincentCare Victoria oversees approximately 300 existing properties housing vulnerable Victorians. We are also delivering 185 new homes Footscray, Wollert and Bendigo in partnership with Homes Victoria as part of the Victorian Government’s Big Housing Build. We’re often asked, who lives in these properties? As Ray Kelleher, Executive General Manager - Housing and Property Strategy at VincentCare Victoria Community Housing explains, our tenants are far more diverse than people might realise. “The reality is that social housing is home to Victorians across all walks of life, across all generations, who experience challenges like being at risk or experiencing homelessness or fleeing domestic violence. Social housing is more about a place to live. It's a pathway to empowering people to lead connected lives, be part of a community, and have a chance to thrive and succeed.” #SocialHousing #HomesVictoria #CommunityHousing #HousingForAll #BigHousingBuild

Hall Full of Help Event! 💒 Last Thursday we held our very first Hall Full of Help event, organised by Alan West, a dedicated member of the St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria. Alan had the vision to bring the community and local support services together under one roof and he made it happen! We welcomed 400-500 community members who came to learn about the many support services available in Ballarat provided by over 48 local agencies who participated in the event, showcasing the assistance they offer. Attendees enjoyed a delicious free sausage sizzle, coffees and bags of fresh fruit and veggies. Thanks to the generosity of supporting organisations, we were also able to give away some fantastic door prizes to attendees! A massive thank you to Alan West and all the fantastic organisations who participated, including Vinnies Victoria, Anglicare Victoria, The Salvation Army Australia, Uniting Vic.Tas, Ballarat City Council, Central Highlands Water and so many more! It was a wonderful day of community connection and a reminder that help is always available. 💙 #GoodWorks #SupportServices #HallFullOfHelp

As part of our in-depth exploration of social housing, this week Ray Kelleher, Executive General Manager - Housing and Property Strategy at VincentCare Victoria Community Housing, provides insights into the true meaning and impact of social housing. We manage social housing around the state, including 185 new social housing homes being built in Footscray, Bendigo, and Wollert in partnership with Homes Victoria as part of the Victorian State government’s Big Housing Build. “Public housing is owned and managed by the government, supporting eligible Victorians. Community Housing on the other hand, is owned and managed by not-for-profit organisations like Saint Vincent de Paul Victoria,” says Ray. “We work closely with Homes Victoria to deliver more housing to Victorians in need, ensuring that every Victorian adult and children has access to a safe and supportive place to call home, which is at the core of what we do across all of our services.” These homes represent more than just a roof—they are safe havens that provide security, stability, and the foundation for families to grow and thrive. At St Vincent de Paul Victoria, we believe that every adult and child deserves a place to call home, where they can feel supported, pursue their dreams, and build a brighter future. 💙 #SocialHousing #HomesVictoria #CommunityHousing #HousingForAll

Yes, these statistics are shocking. And they’re happening right in our backyard. This Anti-poverty week, we’re joining support services and organisations across the country to highlight child poverty in Australia – and the need for change. #AntiPovertyWeek #EndChildPoverty

"When I was homeless, I felt like I was trapped in a crushing dark hole - just fear lurking around me, eating away my mind. I didn’t want to talk because I had forgotten how to and I was full of shame. Ozanam House became my safe space and the people here helped me to find the courage to ask for help. They pulled me out of my hole. For that, I will always love them" Today is #WorldHomelessnessDay and #WorldMentalHealthDay– a powerful reminder that homelessness is a complex issue and directly linked to mental health. We see every day that the constant uncertainty and lack of safety for people experiencing homelessness can take a toll on mental health. Access to safe and secure housing and compassionate support isn’t just about providing a roof over someone’s head. It’s about giving people the chance to heal, to feel seen and heard and to reclaim their sense of self-worth. That is what we strive to do.

💜 Today is Wear it Purple Day! Let’s celebrate LGBTQIA+ young people and create a world where every young person feels safe, supported and proud of who they are. Founded by students to combat bullying, this day has become a global movement of love and inclusivity. This year’s theme, "Your Passion, Your Pride," highlights the incredible achievements of LGBTQIA+ individuals across all fields. Wear purple today to show your solidarity and support. Learn more at WEAR IT PURPLE: https://lnkd.in/fgh9PaX #WearItPurple #YourPassionYourPride #LGBTQIA

As we mark Homelessness Week 2024, we want to recognise the incredible front-line workers at VincentCare Victoria - Ozanam House who support those at risk or experiencing homelessness every day. These amazing professionals work miracles under extremely challenging conditions, to offer support, hope, and compassion. Despite the challenges, the front-line workers at Ozanam House continue to show up, provide essential services and care to help people rebuild their lives. Thank you for your incredible work! 💚❤️