The Living Room is a unique primary health service, the only one of its kind in Melbourne, located in Hosier Lane, offering free healthcare and support to improve the physical, mental, and social well-being of individuals who are, or are at risk of, experiencing homelessness.Our multi-disciplinary team works collaboratively with individuals to identify their goals, ...
Youth Projects
The Living Room – Youth Projects’ health service for homeless/rough sleepers in Melbourne’s CBD
GOAL
$300,000
Australia > VIC > Metro
Field of Interest
- Health/wellbeing and medical research
- Housing and homelessness
Target Population
- Young people (6-25)
- People experiencing or at risk of homelessness
Youth Projects
Youth Projects, founded in 1984, is an independent, registered charity that provides health, outreach, employment, education, and training services to individuals experiencing disadvantage including unemployment, homelessness, mental health challenges, and alcohol and other drug dependency. Youth Projects operates under six domains of service: homelessness, primary health, mental health, alcohol and other drugs, employment and training, and social enterprise. With a workforce of around 180 people across the north, west, east, and inner suburbs of Melbourne, Youth Projects promotes inclusion, builds resilience, and creates opportunities through providing person-centred, holistic, and wrap-around services. Youth Projects programs and initiatives address the complex needs prevalent among the disadvantaged, with wrap-around services that respond to the needs of our most vulnerable including employment, education, training, healthcare, mobile outreach, mental health, harm reduction, and alcohol and other drug support.
To enable long-term sustainability and focus resources on services that lead to the greatest possible outcomes for young people and people experiencing homelessness, our work is continuously guided by a comprehensive outcomes and impact framework focused on five core goals – improved health, meaningful employment, greater sense of belonging, safety and security, decreased risk of homelessness, and longer lives.
Our impact is evidence-based, and our success is demonstrated through many years of delivering specialised youth employment, training, education and transition support programs and initiatives including federal, state, and local government contracts which include Transition to Work (Department of Employment and Workplace Relations).
Project Summary
The Living Room is a unique primary health service, the only one of its kind in Melbourne, located in Hosier Lane, offering free healthcare and support to improve the physical, mental, and social well-being of individuals who are, or are at risk of, experiencing homelessness.
Our multi-disciplinary team works collaboratively with individuals to identify their goals, focusing on harm minimisation, self-determination, and empowerment. This personalised care is essential in providing holistic support.
Clients can access on site services which include:
- General Practitioner Consultations: Personalised medical care tailored to the needs of each individual.
- Immunisations: Essential vaccines to prevent common and serious illnesses.
- Opioid Replacement Therapy (ORT): Managed care for opioid dependence.
- Pathology: Comprehensive diagnostic services to aid in effective treatment planning.
- Practice Nurse: Skilled nursing care for routine and complex health issues.
- Mental Health Nurse: Specialised support for mental health challenges.
- Alcohol and Other Drug Counselling: Guidance and therapy for substance misuse and dependency.
- Brief Intervention Supports: Quick access to crisis intervention and short-term support (including family violence).
- Hepatitis C and Liver Clinic: Specialised treatments and care for liver health issues.
- Podiatry: Foot care services, essential for clients who spend extended periods on their feet.
At The Living Room, we are committed to offering accessible, compassionate, and comprehensive care.
Project Outcomes
1. Improved Health and Wellbeing
Increased access to primary healthcare, mental health services, and AOD support for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
Reduction in preventable hospital admissions and emergency department presentations through early intervention.
Improved management of chronic health conditions, including mental illness and substance dependency.
2. Increased Service Engagement
Higher engagement with wraparound services such as housing support, legal assistance, and mental health care.
Increased uptake of assertive outreach and aftercare programs for highly vulnerable individuals.
Stronger continuity of care through referral pathways and interagency collaboration.
3. Enhanced Social and Economic Participation
Connection of clients with employment services, vocational training, and other reintegration supports.
Improved client capacity to access safe housing, income support, and identification documentation.
Positive changes in health literacy and self-management of health conditions.
4. Client-Centred Service Model Strengthened
Services delivered in a trauma-informed, culturally safe, and inclusive environment.
Expanded role of peer support workers with lived experience to improve trust and client outcomes.
Development and integration of a co-designed care model informed by our Client Advisory Group.
5. Data-Driven Impact Measurement
Consistent and transparent reporting of health outcomes, client engagement metrics, and social impact via Power BI dashboards.
Evaluation frameworks that include both quantitative and qualitative outcomes, including case studies and lived experience narratives.
Regular outcome reporting aligned with funder priorities (e.g. reducing health inequities, improving housing pathways).
6. Strengthened Workforce and Sector Capability
Increased employment of qualified staff (including nurses, mental health clinicians, and AOD specialists) to address rising demand.
Budget Breakdown
TOTAL BUDGET: $300,000
FUNDING
| Funding source | Amount |
|---|---|
| TBC - subject to funder | $0 |
EXPENSES
| Expense item | Amount |
|---|---|
| TBC - subject to funder requirements |
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