Homelessness is a significant issue for a number of people exiting the prison system, with roughly half the prison population exiting into homelessness. 

Named to signify the arc of new beginnings, through our Arc Program we provide specialised case management and housing support to people leaving prison, to reduce reoffending and homelessness.

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How it works

The Arc Program provides participants with two years of case management support, post-release. Housing is provided as part of the program through our partnerships with community housing providers.

Many referred participants identify with a need for housing without the need or desire for case management support. During the assessment for the Arc Program, it is made clear to potential participants that the program is a case management service not just a housing provider. Only those who are willing to engage with case management support are accepted into the Arc Program. 

Our approach to delivering the Arc Program is driven by each participant's individual transitional needs, their preferred approach, the circumstances in their community, and their relationship with their case manager.

Everyone's needs are different, and our support reflects this.

Our support ranges from advocating for participants' needs to other private and community service organisations to supporting participants to access these services and meet their day-to-day needs. Our case managers might also provide coaching support to participants to live a values-driven life, and to be a sounding board to talk through challenges that arise.

Arc case managers bring with them an excellent knowledge of the Justice and Community Service Systems, and how to navigate them. They also have strong inter- and intrapersonal skills to support participants to address their entrenched behaviours, in a variety of challenging spaces, while at the same time demonstrating empathy, active listening, and non-judgmental acceptance.

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Eligibility

• Aged 18 years or more.
• Be at risk of homelessness.
• Have at least three months remaining on court-ordered sentence after the date of referral.
• Intend to reside in metropolitan Melbourne and designated parts of regional Victoria.
• Not be deemed an "unlawful non-citizen" as described in the Sentence Management Manual, or an individual whose visa status is undecided at date of referral. 
• Not eligible for the Community Support Program. 

More information

For more information about the Arc Program, please contact [email protected]