The Magpie Nest housing program will continue to make improve the lives of more than 100 people experiencing or at risk of homelessness thanks to funding from the Andrews Labor Government.

Minister for Housing Colin Brooks today attended the annual footy finals celebration at the Magpie Nest Café in Bourke Street and announced the Labor Government has delivered on its promise to Victorians at last year’s election, investing more than $2 million to continue supporting some of Victoria’s most vulnerable.

A partnership between The Salvation Army, Melbourne Project 614 and Collingwood Football Club Foundation, Magpie Nest provides accommodation to 130 people a year, with 45 two-and-three-bedroom homes.

The program aims to make a genuine difference in the lives of people experiencing homelessness by giving them a network of support services as well as safe and affordable accommodation.

It targets the most vulnerable people in the community, including people sleeping rough, couch surfing or living in sub-standard accommodation.

The program provides housing across Melbourne and support from case workers who provide individual support and care including links to mental health, drug and alcohol services, legal, employment and training services.

There is also an emphasis on residents engaging with community activities, such as sport, arts and cultural programs.

Each year Victoria’s specialist homelessness services respond to the needs of around 100,000 people experiencing or at risk of homelessness, through over 130 specialist homelessness agencies across the state.

The Labor Government provides more than $300 million to specialist homelessness agencies each year to support homelessness entry points, case management, outreach support, youth-specific homelessness initiatives, support to sustain tenancies, and Housing First responses such as From Homelessness to a Home and Homes for Families.

The Government is also delivering the historic $5.3 billion Big Housing Build – the biggest ever investment in social housing by any state or territory, which is delivering more than 12,000 new homes and creating more than 40,000 jobs.