Housing program changing lives

COMMUNITY and affordable housing provider, Haven Home Safe has been able to deliver further client support with the backing of a long-term sponsor.

For three years, mining company Agnico Eagle has provided financial backing to the Sidney Myer Haven program which aims to provide wraparound assistance to clients living in the organisation’s houses.

As part of the initiative, tenants have been provided access to counselling for mental health, financial and employment skill coaching, and weekly activities including swimming and gym sessions.

“We inherently knew the value our Sidney Myer Haven program was generating and that it was transforming lives,” said Haven Home Safe CEO, Trudi Ray.

“But we wanted to be able to showcase the social value and economic benefits of this work, so we engaged our partners at Think Impact to develop a Social Return on Investment Report.”

Eighty-two adults and 43 children have taken part in the Sidney Myer Haven program in the last nine years.

The Social Return on Investment Report states that for every dollar invested in the program, between $12 and $13 of social and economic value has been created.

Ms Ray said the program has boosted tenants’ mental and physical health, their sense of safety, and some have been able to avoid traumatic experiences.

“By independently investing in programs with support from organisations like Agnico Eagle, we can deliver real impact and outcomes,” she said.

“This has been a great example of how programs boosted by impact investing can provide long-term outcomes beyond the donation, and truly deliver better futures for all Victorians.”

Angico Eagle’s director of environment and government relations, Felicia Binks said the company’s staff are proud to be helping Bendigo people.

“This program has added such immense value to the lives of people experiencing homelessness or housing instability,” she said.

“Our goal is to build local capacity in the partner organisations and the lives of the people they support, leaving a positive legacy for the community.”