What is homelessness?

Homelessness is not easily defined. It means being without the support network of family and friends generally expected in our society. It may mean not having a roof over one's head, or living in a rooming house or crisis accommodation. It means receiving low income, having few independent resources, being socially isolated and often having little prospect of self-support.

What is the RDNS Homeless Persons Program?

Our Homeless Persons Program (HPP) comprises a team of specialist community health nurses who work with and on behalf of individuals and groups experiencing homelessness.

The aims of the Homeless Persons Program are to provide holistic healthcare to individuals experiencing homelessness, and to improve access of homeless people to general community services.

We work with other services to obtain healthcare that is accessible and relevant to the needs of the homeless, and of a level equivalent to that received by the general community.

RDNS helps by:

• Providing contact at agencies visited by people experiencing homelessness;
• Actively outreaching to people in rooming houses, crisis accommodations, hotels, parks and on the street;
• Providing primary care, including health and social assessments, professional nursing care, counselling and active support, first aid, medication management, and follow up;
• Advocating on behalf of individuals experiencing homelessness (individually and as a population group);
• Promoting and maintaining health and preventing illness to individuals experiencing homelessness (individually and in groups);
• Implementing collaborative programs between homeless people and other health services, including public hospitals; and
• Providing education about homelessness to health professionals and community groups.

Which staff can help?

The Homeless Persons Program is a team of community nurses who are based around Melbourne and specialise in the care of individuals experiencing homelessness.

How can I access this service?

If you would like further information about the Homeless Persons Program please call on 1300 33 44 55 or visit the administrative office at 113 Rosslyn Street, West Melbourne.

Areas and programs covered by the nurses:

• Central Activities District
• Dandenong (Linx Program)
• Fitzroy (Fitzroy Outreach, St Vincent's Hospital, Referral Project, Yarra Womens' Health Service)
• Footscray (Western Region Outreach Service)
• Hawthorn Project (Salvation Army)
• Inner South (Supported Residential Service (SRS) Project)
• Inner Eastern Region (East Care Salvation Army)
• North Melbourne (Ozanam House, Ozanam Community Centre and Regina Coeli)
• Northcote (Hanover Welfare Services)
• Outer Eastern Region (East Care Salvation Army)
• Preston and Glenroy (Youth Projects with Anglicare)
• Royal Melbourne Hospital Referral Project
• St Kilda (Salvation Army Crisis Centre, Sacred Heart Mission)
• West Melbourne (Flagstaff Crisis Accommodation)
• Brimbank Outreach.

You can find more information about services for homeless people by visiting the Council to Homeless Persons web site.