Eight months ago, Jim and Rosie were facing a future filled with uncertainty. After being evicted so their rental could undergo renovations, they found themselves without a place to call home, moving between friends’ houses in difficult circumstances and wondering what would come next.
“It was one of the lowest moments in our lives,” Rosie recalls.
That changed when they were offered a place through the Mental Health Supported Housing initiative. For Jim and Rosie, it was more than just a housing offer. It was a turning point.
Jim and Rosie are among 12 consumers and 2 carers supported by Northern Health’s Housing Pathways Team into new homes in Pascoe Vale and Craigieburn. Each home is part of a purpose-built development designed specifically for people living with mental illness who need ongoing support. With long-term leases through Homes Victoria, these are not temporary solutions, they offer a foundation for recovery, independence, and peace of mind.
Like many others, Jim and Rosie arrived with very few belongings. Through the effort of the Housing Pathways Team and a network of dedicated partners, their house was transformed into a fully furnished, welcoming home – complete with essential furniture, appliances, and personal touches.
Their new home in Craigieburn is clean, modern, and energy efficient, but what matters most is the sense of security it brings. For the first time in months, they no longer have to worry about where they’ll sleep or what comes next.
That stability has had a profound impact on Jim’s mental health.
“Securing this accommodation has made life a lot easier. Jim’s mental health has improved dramatically and he is now able to get the proper care… Stable accommodation was such a huge worry and now it’s not,” Rosie shared.
“Sounds cliché, but this really changed our lives… especially when you hear the words ‘This is your forever home’,” Rosie said.
Their story reflects the broader impact of the program—where stable housing becomes the foundation for improved wellbeing, recovery, and renewed hope.
The group reflects a rich diversity of needs and stories, including:
- Older adults aged over 55
- Individuals transitioning from Northern Health Mental Health Community Care Units
- A single parent facing homelessness
- Consumers requiring accessible housing
- People supported by live-in carers
Each placement was carefully coordinated, with eligibility based on Priority Victorian Housing Register applications, engagement with acute mental health services, and access to supports such as the NDIS or Early Intervention Psychosocial Support Response (EIPSR).
This initiative was made possible through the generosity and teamwork of many partners, including Homes Victoria, Health Victoria, Evolve Housing, VincentCare’s HomeConnect Program, RIMERN, WERN, the Psychiatric Illness and Intellectual Disability Trust Fund, Melbourne Courts Victoria, and FaPMI.
Additional support came from clinicians, Community Care Units, and NDIS and EIPSR partners, who worked tirelessly to ensure each consumer’s transition was smooth, dignified, and free from unnecessary financial stress. Special thanks also to Belinda Scott and Jen Williams, who secured funding for new beds to ensure residents felt comfortable from day one.
Today, all consumers have signed their long-term leases, with many already settling into their new homes and others in the final stages of transition.
This initiative represents far more than housing – it is about restoring stability, fostering independence, and creating environments where people can thrive. For individuals like Jim and Rosie, and many others, these homes mark the beginning of brighter futures where safety, support, and hope are no longer uncertain, but assured.