“We need more places that support mental health and housing, and we need to keep the NDIS. The NDIS has changed my life; every day I wake up happy, I’ve got a very good support worker and my life is going well now.”
This is Andrea’s message for Homelessness Week 2025 – a time to raise awareness of the impact of homelessness and the solutions needed to end homelessness.
Andrea, 53, knows all too well the importance of having a safe place to call home, having experienced homelessness for about five months before she moved into Haven South Yarra back in 2011.
“I had a lot of life pressure and was left with nowhere to go. I was at homeless shelters, sleeping in parks and driving around in my car trying to find accommodation,” she said.
After an admission to a short-term sub-acute service, Andrea was successfully referred to Haven South Yarra.
Managed by Mind in partnership with The Haven Foundation – a subsidiary of Mind – Haven residences provide safe, secure and long-term housing for people experiencing mental health challenges. Haven residents also have access to 24/7 support from qualified and experienced mental health practitioners, which their NDIS plans makes possible.
Since moving into Haven South Yarra, Andrea says her life has improved considerably and she feels like she finally has ownership of it.
“I haven’t had any hospital admissions since I’ve moved in. I’ve been quite stable,” Andrea said.
“I like the location [of Haven South Yarra]. I’ve decorated my unit according to my taste and made some amendments to suit me. I’ve put my pictures and tapestry on the walls, I’ve got my TV, my sewing machine and my trolley that I use when I walk to the shops.
“I feel like I’m in control of my life. I can be social when I want, but I can retreat and have my own space when I want too.”
Sadly, Andrea’s story isn’t uncommon; nearly 20% of Haven residents experienced homelessness prior to moving in to a Haven residence in the past 12 months.
But, through Mind and The Haven Foundation, we see the positive mental health benefits of having safe, secure and supported housing for people experiencing mental health challenges.
There are currently 13 Haven residences located throughout Victoria, with more residences currently being built in Corio, Frankston, Kilmore, Moe, Sunbury, Torquay, Traralgon, Wangaratta, Warrnambool, Wodonga and Wonthaggi. Haven residences are also being developed in Clearview (SA) and the Central Coast (NSW).
Together, Mind and The Haven Foundation are working to help Andrea and others across the country to get the housing and support they need, but the current housing crisis means many more are struggling like Andrea once did.
For Homelessness Week 2025 Mind supports Homelessness Australia’s call for homelessness action now and a much-needed increase in community and supported housing throughout the country.
*Andrea’s name has been changed for privacy reasons.
If this article raises concerns for you, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14. Aboriginal and Torres Straits Islanders can also call 13 YARN (13 92 76) a 24/7 national crisis support telephone service staffed by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
If you would like more information, please contact us.
1300 286 463
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Having meaningful and productive conversations with young people can be challenging, especially when trying to discuss their mental health and what’s going on in their lives.
“We need more places that support mental health and housing, and we need to keep the NDIS. The NDIS has changed my life; every day I wake up happy, I’ve got a very good support worker and my life is going well now.”
This is Andrea’s message for Homelessness Week 2025 – a time to raise awareness of the impact of homelessness and the solutions needed to end homelessness.
