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MCM undertakes purposeful advocacy at all levels – government, private sector and community. We work closely with the sector to advocate for positive social change.
You can read our policy and research submissions below.
PDF | 1.8 MB
MCM welcomes the opportunity to provide comment on the Victorian Government’s 10-Year Social and Affordable Housing Strategy (Strategy) Discussion Paper and congratulates the Victorian Government’s significant investment of $5.3billion in social and affordable housing. Despite the significant injection of stock under Victoria’s Big Housing Build, the overall scale of the challenge facing young people experiencing homelessness in Victoria will be broadly unchanged. That is, unless a supported housing system is created for young people that ensures access to a safe and secure home with appropriate supports in place — providing them with a pathway to independence.
PDF | 1.2 MB
Last year, over 15,000 young people in Victoria sought support from Specialist Homelessness Services and there are countless others who are couch surfing and are not yet known to services. In addition to a lack of secure housing, homelessness during adolescence means disconnection from supportive and nurturing relationships with parents or caregivers that enable young people to build the confidence and capability to transition to adulthood. This submission draws on consultation sessions with young people and consultation with MCM’s homelessness practitioners to build a deeper understanding of young people’s experiences of homelessness in Victoria, and address how Victoria’s systems can better support young people experiencing homelessness to reach their full potential.
PDF | 1 MB
MCM commissioned a series of research projects on the Melbourne Apartments Project (MAP) – a housing model devised by the Barnett Foundation to assist people living in social housing to move into home ownership. This report is the third and final report that surveys MAP participants 18-months after occupation to assess if participants are still satisfied with their housing and are able to manage financially. MAP participants expressed high feelings of safety and satisfaction, as compared with previous housing in public housing, and a high level of financial resilience was evident in most households. The findings demonstrate that the model which uses shared equity structures can benefit a portion of existing social housing residents, and should inform future policy directions.
PDF | 1.7 MB
The research explores the use of animal assisted interventions (AAI’s) to support young people at Frontyard Youth Services. Animal assisted interventions (AAI’s) are an emerging therapeutic practice that use animals to support people with emotional distress, social relationships and coping skills. Frontyard trialled the use of therapy dogs to reduce the stress and anxiety experienced by young people situated in the waiting area, provide an opportunity for positive social interaction among young people, and increase young people’s engagement in integrated services based at Frontyard.
PDF | 1.5 MB
Mental health impacts many of our clients’ lives and underpins much of our work. This submission draws from the stories and observations of MCM’s diverse client groups and staff to highlight the inequitable barriers that many MCM clients face in accessing mental health supports. Future reforms to Victoria’s mental health system should consider the needs of people with the most complex mental health issues, particularly as they intersect with experiences of homelessness, disability, Alcohol and other Drug (AOD) issues, and structural and societal barriers including poverty, social exclusion and discrimination.