First point of contact

Housing Information and Referral

Our Client Centres in Bendigo, Robinvale, Mildura and Kyabram are the first point of contact for Housing Information and Referral services. Whether you need emergency housing, more information about our housing programs and services, assistance with an Office of Housing or rental housing application or support to retain your existing housing, our skilled professional staff can assist.  

We can:

• provide immediate information on housing related issues
• assist you to access a range of homeless and housing support services
• assess your eligibility for Emergency Relief Funding and other housing-related financial assistance
• help you negotiate payment arrangements with a landlord, utility provider or others.  

Specialist Homeless Services

Specialist Homeless Services is the first step on the pathway from the Client Centre.

If you are homeless or unable to secure permanent housing, we will link you with a case worker who will provide ongoing support for 13 weeks or more.

Your case worker can help you with housing applications, assist you with mental health, drug, alcohol and other issues which may affect your chances of being housed and refer you to support services. Once you have found and settled into secure housing, they will continue to work with you for several weeks to help you develop the skills to maintain your existing housing.

Haven provides this service to approximately 400 people and families a year through our Kyabram and Bendigo offices.

Intensive Case Management Initiative

Our Intensive Case Management Initiative service (ICMI) involves more intensive, long term case management over six months.

If you are homeless or facing a housing crisis and have high and complex needs such as mental health, drug, alcohol or behavioural issues or a combination of these, we will assign a case manager who will work with you each week for six months.

Your case manager will help you develop a comprehensive plan which addresses the factors that have contributed to you being homeless. This work can, and often does, involve partnering with a variety of welfare agencies and specialist support services, all committed to helping you access secure permanent housing.

This program is available in Bendigo and Echuca.

Care Coordination through the Multiple and Complex Needs Initiative

Through this Bendigo-based service, Haven coordinates the care plan requirements for people who have varied and complex needs and require intense supervision.

To qualify for this service, you must be assessed and referred by the Department of Human Services, and:

• be over 16yo
• have a mental health disorder, acquired brain injury or intellectual impairment
• be alcohol and/or drug dependent
• be a potential danger to yourself or others.

Those referred to the program are often but not always homeless. We also work with clients who are at risk of homelessness to help them maintain their existing housing.

Supporting Families at Risk of Homelessness

This program is available in Bendigo, Robinvale and Mildura and supports families who are settling into a new home. Once your family has secured permanent housing,  a case manager will work with  you to develop networks and community links that help create a sense of belonging and stability for your family.

This may involve helping you integrate children into local schools and providing information about community groups and sports clubs.

Pyschiatric Disability Rehabilitation and Support Services

Through this Bendigo-based service, Haven provides provide more than 2000 hours of in-home support each year to people who have a diagnosed mental health issue. Haven has two staff who work with apporoximately 20 clients a year, assisting with living skills and organising social, educational and recreational activities to help them extend their friendship networks and lead an active community life. 

Offices

Bendigo - Head office
Street address: 10-16 Forest Street, Bendigo, 3550
Postal address: P.O. Box 212, Bendigo  VIC  3552
Phone: 03 5444 9000
Fax: 03 5444 9092
Email: bendigo@haven.org.au or use the online contact form below.

Geelong
Address: 6 Packington Street, Geelong West, 3218
Phone: 03 5246 8900
Fax: 03 5222 2402
Email: geelong@haven.org.au or use the online contact form below.

Mildura
Street address: 143A Lime Avenue, Mildura, 3500
Postal address: P.O. Box 2527, Mildura  VIC  3502
Phone: 03 5018 4200
Fax: 03 5023 5862
Email: mildura@haven.org.au or use the online contact form below.

Robinvale
Street address: 52 Herbert Street, Robinvale, 3549
Phone: 1300 716 776
Fax: 03 5026 1719
Email: robinvale@haven.org.au or use the online contact form below.