Homelessness affects people from all sections of the community. It can occur when people experience a crisis such as job loss, grief, or family violence. It can also be experienced by people who may have struggled with poverty and disadvantage all their lives. Everyone’s experience of homelessness is unique, and it can happen to anyone at any point in their lives.
We know that people can re-take control of their lives when housing is available. However, without a supply of secure housing options in inner Melbourne, people will continue to end up sleeping on our streets.
Make Room will provide secure supported housing for people experiencing homelessness and sleeping rough on the streets of Melbourne for up to 12 months or until they can secure access to long-term secure housing.
A Council-owned building located at 602 Little Bourke Street is being refurbished and converted into specialist supported housing for up to 50 residents.
There will be flexible spaces to facilitate interaction among residents, as well as delivery of on-site support services. There will also be flexible spaces and a social enterprise located on site that will support employment and training opportunities.
We’ll work with each person to give them the best possible chance to put homelessness behind them and get their lives back on track.
Our plan
We’ve partnered with the Victorian Government and Unison Housing, a registered community housing provider and key philanthropic and corporates to make room for people experiencing homelessness in Melbourne.
Registered community housing provider Unison Housing is working with us to convert and refurbish the property into 50 self-contained studio apartments, purpose-built rooftop garden and onsite support space. Once complete, Unison will manage tenancies and work with specialist support services to provide residents with on-site housing, health and other wrap-around support services. Make Room residents will stay for up to 12 months, or until they can secure access to long-term secure housing.
Our investment
Getting people off the streets and connecting them with support services is the first step in the pathway out of homelessness
Make Room is an ambitious project and we cannot do it alone.
Our investment includes dedicating a Council-owned building worth more than $12 million.
A further $15.5 million has already been secured to help fund the conversion of the building into 50 studio apartments including:
- A $9 million commitment from the Victorian Government for the redevelopment, as well as funding to deliver the critical support services for the residents.
- $6.5m funds have been raised from the philanthropic and corporate sectors, including significant contributions from our major donors including the Lord Mayor's Charitable Foundation ($1 million), The Ian Potter Foundation ($1.75 million); other generous funders include the Helen Macpherson Smith Trust, Erdi Foundation, Hansen Little Foundation, PWC, Spencer Outlet Centre, Loti & Victor Smorgon Family Foundation, and Wiliam Buckland Foundation.
We are continuing to work with the philanthropic and corporate sectors, local businesses, and residents to reach the project funding goal and to deliver this important initiative.
The Lord Mayor's Charitable Foundation is accepting tax-deductible donations for this initiative via a Giving Account, as is Unison Housing. If you would like to make a tax-deductible donation towards Make Room via the Lord Mayor's Charitable Foundation, please visit LMCF or contact makeroom@melbourne.vic.gov.au for further information.