In conversation with Launch Housing
Launch Housing is a secular Melbourne-based community organisation that brings homelessness services and life-changing housing supports under one roof disadvantaged Victorians. The Queen’s Fund has shared a relationship with Launch Housing for several years, and through this, in 2002/2023 was able to assist over 60 women facing financial crisis, with a funding amount of $21,774.
Launch Housing’s Howard Ralley, General Manager, Campaigns and Engagement, shared his thoughts on the work done by Launch Housing across the past 12 months and the support provided by The Queen’s Fund.
Please tell us about the work done by Launch Housing over the last year.
At Launch Housing, our Theory of Chage helps us to pursue our vision of zero homelessness in Melbourne by focusing on changes for people, communities and society. We believe that everyone deserves another chance and the best start in life. We provide children, families and young people security, safety and the opportunity to start afresh and to build an optimistic future.
Last year, Launch Housing was able to help over 15,000 people with holistic housing and innovative support, education, youth and specialist services, including over 1,600 families. Support was provided through a wide variety of programs ranging from rental assistance to help them stay in their own home, financial assistance to secure a new rental property, short-term crisis accommodation at dedicated and secure locations, support finding a new home or accessing social housing, and provision of long-term housing.
What are the biggest pressures experienced by the women and children supported by Launch Housing?
We know that poverty and family violence drive homelessness. And that when children grow up with housing instability, this cycle can continue into future generations. Without a doubt, the increasing pressures of the cost of living and both the rental and housing crisis in Australia is creating a perfect storm of pressure for many women and children.
Where can the biggest impacts be made for this cohort?
At the end of the day, the biggest impact to help women and children is to give them the security of their own permanent home. We also know that housing first works. Permanent housing combined with support services is proven to create real change for families. When we rapidly re-house families, we limit additional trauma and give them the best chance to recover and rebuild. That is why we need more safe, secure, and long-term housing close to schools and services to be able to move women and families quickly into stability.
What has The Queen’s Fund mean to Launch Housing?
“Funding provided by The Queen’s Fund enables Launch Housing to overcome the barriers so many women and children encounter simply to live in a safe home. ”
From helping mothers with young children move into a new home after fleeing family violence, to supporting women in their 60s and 70s to regain control over their lives after living in insecure accommodation for decades - these funds make a real difference. They hit the ground running and make things possible for women and children that simply weren’t before. They’re a little bit of magic in the lives of women and children who face so much hardship.
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