Shelter, support and so much more 

Haven has been providing services to the homeless and disadvantaged for more than two decades.

We are a not-for-profit company, limited by guarantee and hold public benevolent institution status.

In 2005, we became Victoria's first registered Affordable Housing Association, creating new housing options for those in our community seeking affordable housing alternatives.

Operationally, Haven provides an integrated continuum of housing services and support programs.

As is the nature of such programs, a collaborative approach to service delivery is essential and Haven's strong links to service providers, our customer base, and investors has laid foundation to a great deal of respect and recognition within the sector and ensured our services reach a wide and diverse range of people in need.

Internally, the agency has developed and implemented common planning frameworks, which incorporate strategy formation, operations planning and a continuous improvement cycle.

The organisation encourages staff to become self managing within a supportive environment.

Haven has also adopted the National Community Housing Standards and are a Homelessness Service Sector and standards accredited organisation.

Embracing Diversity

In today’s world, diversity is reality. Each day, each week, each month, our staff deal with an increasingly diverse client base as homelessness extends its reach to a growing number of Victorians.

And of the thousands of people who access our services each year, no two people are ever the same.

In recognition of diversity, our commitment to you is:

• We will make our services available to everyone regardless of ethnicity, language, gender, age, cultural or religious background, marital status, sexuality, health, hearing, beliefs, background, ability or personal characteristics.

• We will uphold a culture and standard of practice that embraces diversity and focuses on your rights and your ability to access our programs and services.  

We know that linking to our services may be difficult for people who have limited or no English language skills. If you know of someone in this situation, we can:

• Arrange an interpreter or translator to attend interviews; or, where this is not possible,
• Use a telephone interpreting service.

This means that people with limited or no English language can be interviewed in a language of their choice.

Need an interpreter?

To access an interpreter immediately, phone TIS National on 131 450.

Non-English speakers who phone TIS National should tell the operator the language they speak, as well as the name and phone number of who they wish to contact.

Telephone interpreting is available 24/7. However, the person or organisation you wish to speak to may not always be available on weekends or after business hours.   Non-English speakers wanting to speak to Centrelink should phone 13 12 02 during business hours.

On-site interpreting

On-site or face-to-face interpreting is available to help non-English speakers and English speakers communicate. On-site appointments are usually booked by the agency or organisation that is communicating with the non-English speaker. Non-English speakers should discuss the need for an on-site interpreter with the agency they are dealing with.

“’Diversity’ is anyone who walks through our door. We embrace it. It is part of our everyday language and interwoven into our identity as a community housing and support provider.” Leonie Ireland, Team Leader, Assertive Outreach Team

Link here to

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