Elizabeth Street Common Ground Project

At the Club's 27^th January 2010 meeting, Rotarian James Pullar gave a brief report on the recently signed strategic partnership with HomeGround Services (HGS), the largest provider of housing and support services in inner suburban Melbourne.  

The partnership will provide support for HGS to provide a range of supportive housing projects in particular the Elizabeth Street Common Ground Project.  This project is based on the successful Common Ground model which was established in New York in 1998 and now provides over 3000 units of supportive housing.  

The key elements of supportive housing are to provide permanent, safe, affordable housing with support services (for medical, drug, alcohol, mental health issues) for a mix of homeless and low income tenants.  The Elizabeth Street project is due to open in September/October this year and under the partnership the Club has committed to provide support for HGS in the following areas:

·         Advocate and provide representation for ongoing State Government funding

·         Make representation for philanthropic funding of support services

·         Gain access to corporate funding and the provision of goods and services e.g. start up packs of goods for fitting out apartments or vouchers for food or toiletries

·         Engage local authorities, businesses, community organisations and local Rotary Clubs to support and promote the project

·         Involve volunteers in Fundraising, Group activities and daily living skill development, e.g. computer classes, cooking, household budgets etc., Mentoring, Employment and vocational opportunities

A comprehensive graphic presentation about the project can be viewed by clicking here or on the Related File below.

The Club's project organisation structure can be viewed by clicking here or on the Related File below.

A schematic diagram of the floor plans for the project can be viewed by clicking here or on the Related File below.

You can peruse the Club's Memorandum of Understanding with HGS by clicking here or on the Related File below.

If you would like to know more about the background to, and progress of, this project, please click the following link: www.elizabethstcgsh.org.au

To find out more about the background to, and the progress of, this project, please click the following link: www.commonground.org

The Community Welfare Committee has established a sub committee to manage the relationship with HomeGround Services and would like to hear from members who would like to be involved in helping provide any of the support services listed above.

Interested members should contact either: James Pullar (0417-574-941), Heather Barton (0418-974-994), Chris Wang (0412-220-547), Bob Miller (0411-038-824) and John Huitfeldt (0412-178-742).

Construction underway in Elizabeth St

Construction underway in Elizabeth St Construction underway in Elizabeth St Construction underway in Elizabeth St Construction underway in Elizabeth St RCM tour of inspection Inspecting the project RCM project briefing Construction underway in Elizabeth St

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