Ozanam House

CRISIS SUPPORTED ACCOMMODATION SERVICE

Ozanam House provides crisis accommodation for homeless men over the age of 18 years.

Ozanam House aims to:

• Provide a safe, secure and supportive environment for residents, volunteers and staff.
• Provide a flexible, empathic and respectful service focused on the individual needs of each resident.
• Actively support residents to address issues that may create barriers to securing appropriate, accessible and affordable housing.

Our range of services and programs aim to maximise opportunities for social inclusion through affirmative action.

Ozanam House offers:

• 24 hour support
• Information, support and referral to specialist on-site and internal services
• 3 meals a day, including special dietary requirements
• Accommodation at a cost of $21 a night/ $13 a night (Youth Allowance)
• Communal bathrooms/ toilets

Ozanam House began as a night shelter for homeless men in 1953, as part of the special works of the St Vincent de Paul Society.

Since then it has grown to become a 64-bed Crisis Supported Accommodation Service. It provides short-term, hostel-style accommodation to men over 18 years of age with multiple and complex support needs. All residents are provided with case management to help address issues impacting on their housing status, assist them into appropriate accommodation, and to link them into specific support services according to need.

Ozanam House provides services to men who are over 18 years of age and experiencing homelessness. In addition to their homelessness, men typically present with one or more of the following characteristics:

• Drug & alcohol issues
• Mental health issues
• Gambling problems
• Chronic health issues
• Legal problems
• Recent release from the criminal justice system
• Long-term unemployment
• History of child abuse/sexual assault
• Anger management issues/anti social behaviour
• Relationship and  family breakdown

In addition to providing case management and accommodation for up to 12 weeks, Ozanam House also provides the following services and programs:

• Homeless Person’s Program: in-house Royal District Nursing Staff
• PATHS Program: psychological assessment and treatment program for residents experiencing high prevalence mental health issues including depression, anxiety and personality disorders.
• Housing Information and Referral: Housing advice for residents and clients wanting to access homeless service system.
• Community Outreach Services: provided on-site by Legal Aid services, Centrelink, Regional Psychiatric & Mental Health services and  Drug Treatment services
• Health Promotion & Harm-minimisation Activities: eg Acupuncture Clinic, Foot Clinic, Hepatitis C awareness, Alcoholics Anonymous and Needle & Syringe Program.
• Community Development Program: community building and strengthening involving ‘diversionary’ activities which include Music program, art activities, recreational outings, return to work programs (Start Here) and cultural development activities.
• Volunteer Program: involves around 300 volunteers from St Vincent de Paul Society conference groups, School Justice Program and corporate volunteers.
• Ozanam Catering Services: prepares meals for Ozanam House residents and the meals program located at the Community Centre.

Ozanam House has a key role in participating in the Homelessness and Drug Dependency Program, an initiative funded through Drug Treatment Services.

The program assists Crisis Accommodation Services deal with the rise in drug dependency and mental health issues, amongst those accessing homeless supported accommodation services.

A key component of the PDRSS program (Psychiatric, Disability and Rehabilitation Support Services) is the availability of intensive longer term case management services for residents experiencing chronic drug/alcohol issues and high prevalence mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety. The programs and initiatives listed have been very successful in reducing some of these impacts, including the incidence of violence and drug overdose.

Making a Referral
St Vincent de Paul Housing Services process Ozanam House referrals. A Housing Information worker will assess all applications to access the service.

Referrals can be made by contacting Housing Services on (03)9300.2977 and 1800 618 468 (toll free)

To provide the most appropriate service, Housing Services will require the following information:

• Full name and date of birth.
• Brief details of current issues and support needs
• Current income status
• A brief housing history

The St Vincent de Paul Society is strongly committed to providing an individual service based on mutual engagement in case management and support. Housing Services will endeavour to make a referral to another appropriate housing service if the referral to gain access to Ozanam House has been unsuccessful

Contact
Ozanam House
179 Flemington Road
North Melbourne 3051
Telephone: (03) 9329 5100
Fax: (03) 9329 8727

Ozanam House - Volunteer Program

Ozanam House has a long and proud history based on the commitment and generosity of volunteers. VincentCare Victoria strives to maintain and build on this tradition and in doing so recognises the important role volunteers can play in the delivery of our services. We recognise the benefit derived to our residents and clients as a direct result of our volunteer’s work and commitment.

Volunteers are integral to the successful delivery of support and assistance to our residents and clients. In many instances, it is the provision of the additional support provided by volunteers that separates Ozanam House from other services. At Ozanam House, volunteers can make a real and lasting difference to the people we support and assist on a daily basis.

Principles of Volunteering
VincentCare Victoria adheres to the principles of volunteering as defined by Volunteering Australia:

• Volunteering benefits the community and the volunteer
• Volunteer work is unpaid
• Volunteering is always a matter of choice
• Volunteering is not compulsorily undertaken to receive pensions or government allowances
• Volunteering is a legitimate way in which citizens can participate in the activities of their community
• Volunteering is a vehicle for individuals or groups to address human, environmental and social needs
• Formal volunteering is an activity performed in the not-for-profit sector only
• Volunteering is not a substitute for paid work
• Volunteering respects the rights, dignity and culture of others
• Volunteering promotes human rights and equality

Volunteering opportunities
VincentCare Victoria recognises that most volunteers provide their time with a preference to assist in a direct client or resident environment. In particular, VincentCare Victoria acknowledges and supports the St Vincent de Paul principle of providing face-to-face involvement for Members of the Society.

We are open to people who want to share their skills and interests within the Volunteer program. Our Volunteers roles are not limited to those listed below:

• Kitchen duties at Ozanam House, including preparation of meals, serving meals and kitchen cleaning duties.
• Assisting with the lunchtime meals service at Ozanam Community Centre
• Assist on reception at Ozanam House
• Office administration duties
• Assist in our computer lab and library at Ozanam House
• Volunteer driver to pickup donations of food and drop off meals
• Material aid (making bed rolls, toiletry packs, clothing store)

Contact
St Vincent de Paul Society
Volunteer Hotline on 1300 736 933