Everyone Deserves a Safe Place to Call Home: How Community Housing Creates Real Change
At South Port Community Housing Group (SPCHG), we believe that safe, affordable housing is a human right. Every person deserves a secure place to call home—somewhere to rest, rebuild, and reconnect.
A First Step Toward Stability
For many of our residents, their journey with SPCHG begins with a warm welcome at our office in the heart of South Melbourne. Often, they’re accompanied by a support worker or referred through one of our trusted partner agencies.
Over the past year alone, more than 60 people have been safely housed through our services. Most have come from extremely vulnerable situations—sleeping in cars, couch surfing, or experiencing rough sleeping on Melbourne’s streets.
In a city where affordable housing is scarce, the security and stability of a supported home can be truly life-changing.
What a New Home Looks Like
After a successful property viewing and acceptance of an offer, the transition begins. Residents receive:
- An electronic key fob
- A lease agreement
- Detailed information about their rights and responsibilities
- And most importantly, a genuine welcome into our housing community
But it doesn’t end there. SPCHG supports ongoing connection through regular community events and gatherings. Residents often form social bonds in their buildings—whether sharing a meal at one of our regular events, checking in on each other, or collaborating on a communal garden.
Housing in the Heart of the Community
Our properties are conveniently located across the suburbs of South Melbourne, Port Melbourne, Albert Park, St Kilda East, Prahran, Balaclava, and East Malvern. This ensures residents live close to:
- Public transport
- Local shops and libraries
- Community health clinics
- Parks and recreation spaces
With excellent access to services and support, our housing offers residents the opportunity to participate in the local community and rebuild their lives from a place of security.
Why Affordable and Social Housing in Victoria Matters Now More Than Ever
Victoria is currently facing an affordable housing crisis. According to the Victorian Housing Register, more than 65,000 people are waiting for access to social housing. That list has grown by 8% in the past year alone.
Alarmingly, the average wait time for those in the priority access category now exceeds 18 months.
Social housing is long-term, government-subsidised rental housing for people with low incomes who have a housing need, including those who are homeless, experiencing family violence, or have other special needs. It encompasses public housing (owned and managed by government) and community housing (provided by not-for-profit organisations).
Despite the growing need, Victoria has the lowest rate of public and community housing in Australia, with just 2.8% of households living in social housing.
This simply isn’t enough.
How You Can Help
We’re calling on the Victorian Government to take meaningful action—to invest in more social and affordable housing options that support people doing it tough.
But we also rely on the generosity of supporters like you to continue our work. Every donation helps us offer more homes, more wraparound support, and more hope for people facing housing insecurity.
Donate before June 30 to make a tax-deductible EOFY contribution that helps create real change.
Together, we can make sure that no one is left without a safe place to call home.
Learn more about our work or donate today.