At Juno, we understand that the drivers of homelessness are complex and multi-layered. Women and gender diverse people can experience homelessness due to a range of issues: poverty, gender inequality and family violence, often coupled with mental health issues and trauma. However, the most pressing issue is a lack of affordable, safe and stable housing.
As family violence is the primary driver of homelessness for women, Juno’s Homelessness Team is trained to respond to this need and works in partnership with women and gender diverse people (accompanied with or without children) to find permanent, safe and affordable homes.
This includes (but is not restricted to):
- addressing housing and support needs through short-term, task-focused support,
- longer-term case management support,
- supporting women to understand their rights,
- linking them to material/financial support,
- emotional support,
- and strengthening women’s (and their children’s) safety and wellbeing through ongoing risk assessment and management.
If you or someone you know needs support, visit our Assistance Page.
To receive support from Juno or other specialist support services you must be referred via a local Homelessness Access Point. In Victoria, if you’re experiencing homelessness or a housing crisis, the first step is to contact a local Homelessness Access Point, where an Initial Assessment and Planning (IAP) worker will then assess your support needs and refer you on. As there is no direct referral process, clients come to Juno through Access Points. Find a Victorian Access Point.
Other work
- Our Women’s Wellbeing and Connection Events provide opportunities for the women in our programs to forge connections outside the ‘formal’ aspects of our work, aimed at promoting social connection and emotional wellbeing through rebuilding confidence, resilience and self-worth, while having a whole lot of fun.
- We also advocate with other community sector organisations for a gender-specific and feminist informed approach to the provision of housing and homelessness support, and work to influence the broader systemic structures that impact the lives of women and their children. Read more about our advocacy here.
