Supporting women 55+ into sustainable long-term accommodation
The Women’s Housing Support Program (WHSP), funded by Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH), is a voluntary case management support program that is available to eligible residents of the Lakehouse Rooming House Facility, located in South Melbourne.
The WHSP aims to help women to settle in at the Lakehouse and assist them to work on goals that might be preventing them from accessing long-term housing; whilst being able to live somewhere affordable, safe, and secure.
The WHSP aims to help women to settle in at the Lakehouse and assist them in working on goals that might be preventing them from accessing long-term housing, whilst being able to live somewhere affordable, safe, and secure.
Case management is available for short-term assistance, or up to 3 months. The assigned case manager will work with clients and their YWCA Community Housing Officer to ensure their stay at the Lakehouse is supported as possible.
Delivered in partnership with Housing All Australians and YWCA Housing, the Lakehouse is an innovative co-living facility, established as a ‘pop up’ in 2018 to repurpose a vacant aged care facility in South Melbourne. The Lakehouse features shared communal spaces including a large kitchen, lounges, and outdoor space. The facility is well-situated near shopping precincts and frequent public transport. Each room has its own ensuite facilities, small bar fridge, double bed and mattress, bedside side table, and lamp.
This housing model has been designed as short-term transitional accommodation for women aged over 50, under RTA rooming house rules whilst residents seek longer-term stable housing options.
Eligibility
Case management support is available to current residents at the Lakehouse who do not have a current Housing Support Worker/Case Manager and would like to work on long-term housing goals.
Referral Pathway
Residents of the Lakehouse can self-refer to the program by visiting the drop-in service at the Lakehouse Monday to Friday 9.30am – 11:30am or by emailing the address below.
If a resident already has existing support services (non-housing) they can also be referred into the program with the help of this service.
Please contact YWCA administration (03) 8341 8700 or email the WHSP team at womenshousingsupportprogram@ywca.org.au for further information.
