A decade of impact
In 2015 the Sidney Myer Haven (SMH) Program commenced and 19 people experiencing homelessness found not just a roof over their heads, but a chance to rebuild their lives.
Since opening an astounding 125 tenancies have commenced delivering residents with the opportunity to move beyond homelessness and hardship.
The program offers more than housing, providing wrap-around support through the Shared Futures program, helping residents set and achieve personal goals, and ultimately change their lives. For many, this has meant getting their first job, returning to study, gaining independence, and even purchasing their own home.
Entirely funded through Haven Home Safe and philanthropic donations, the program remains the only one of its kind in Australia (that we know of), with $220,000 needed each year to keep it running. This funding model ensures that every dollar works towards what matters most, the needs and aspirations of residents.
In 2025 we celebrated 10 years of SMH, you can read about this here.
Learn more about the program below.
Shannon's Story
Former SMH resident Shannon generously shared his story with ABC Central Victoria breakfast radio station.
Listen to hear how Shannon found himself experiencing homelessness, how he felt during this time and how he found the Sidney Myer Haven program.
Shannon shared the impact this program had on his life “Sidney Myer Haven doesn’t just change lives, it saves lives” he says.
Social Return On Investment (SROI) Reports
We know the Sidney Myer Haven program transforms lives, but we also want to be able to showcase the social value and economic benefits of this work. In both 2018 and 2023 we engaged our partners at Think Impact to conduct a Social Return on Investment report. The 2023 report showed a 20 per cent increase in value generated since the first evaluation in 2018, finding that for every dollar invested, between $12 and $13 of social and economic value is generated.