News and Media

As a for-purpose organisation, we want a future Victoria without homelessness and housing stress. Sharing our knowledge and the voice and experience of our clients is a key part of the work we do.

With offices in Bendigo, Geelong, Mildura and Preston and hubs in Kyabram and Swan Hill, we support thousands of people across Victoria every year.

It’s important for us to share our learnings and the human story behind the statistics and help people understand the foundational benefit housing plays in people’s health, wellbeing and community connection.

Media contact
Click here to submit a media commentary or requests for interview.

Bonnie Szymczak, Head of Impact
Tara Miller, Senior Advisor, Marketing and Communications

We encourage journalists reporting on homelessness to please familiarise themselves with the Council to Homeless Persons Media Messaging Guide – Reporting on homelessness.

We can provide spokespeople on behalf of Haven Home Safe for commentary on issues and developments in housing and homelessness in Victoria including government policy, crises, social and affordable housing, SDA (Specialist Disability Accommodation), housing development, state/national campaigns and local issues in our areas of operation.

We also have thought leaders available to talk at relevant conferences and events.

Media releases

22/05/2026

Much-needed housing delivered for women and children who have experienced family violence.

Haven Home Safe has welcomed key partners to celebrate the opening of the completed Safe Places Development which will provide much-needed housing for women and children who have experienced family violence.

09/04/2026

HHS executive updates

As Haven Home Safe responds to the changing needs of funding bodies, the community, clients and renters as well as the broader housing environment, our Executive Team is also evolving.

19/12/2025

Haven Home Safe delivers 22 new homes in Mildura ahead of schedule

Haven Home Safe has marked the completion of a new 22-home development in Mildura, delivered with funding from Homes Victoria’s Big Housing Build. The milestone brings the organisation’s Big Housing Build program to a close, with 387 new, high-quality homes delivered across Victoria over five years.

Thought leadership

09/06/2026

Statement on Bendigo attack

The recent violent attack on a man experiencing homelessness in Bendigo's CBD is a stark reminder of the dangers people sleeping rough face every day. This attack is abhorrent, and we want to make it clear that there is no place for violence in our communities. Attacking the most vulnerable people in our community is particularly cowardly and deeply disturbing. Our thoughts are with the victim, and the many people in our community who have been affected by this incident.

22/05/2026

A budget that moves on housing. Now we must make sure no-one is left behind.

This week’s Federal Budget signals a willingness to make housing a policy priority. But as an organisation that supports a growing number of people experiencing homelessness and housing stress because rents are unaffordable and appropriate rental options are increasingly out of reach, we need to keep asking the hard questions. Australia needs a housing system that works across the full housing and people continuum - from crisis and social housing through to affordable rental and ownership. From lone person households to life-long renters through to families living and working in regional and remote areas.

06/05/2026

2026-27 Victorian State Budget – HHS response

The 2026/27 Victorian State Budget fails to meet the scale and urgency of Victoria’s housing and homelessness crisis. While Haven Home Safe welcomes the commitment to deliver 7,000 social homes, this investment falls far short of what is required to meet current demand and does not provide a sustained pipeline of funding. More than 56,000 Victorian households are waiting for secure housing, yet this budget still treats housing as a short-term election issue rather than essential infrastructure. Cost-of-living relief means little if people still cannot afford a safe place to live.

Advocacy

06/05/2026

2026-27 Victorian State Budget – HHS response

24/03/2026

Reducing barriers to deliver sustainable energy upgrades for community housing sites

Climate change presents a financial and social risk to which we must take steps to minimise our footprint and build resilience. At Haven Home Safe and as part of our ESG+ Strategy we recognise that access to energy efficient housing is good for both residents and the environment.

16/02/2026

Bring fairness back

Have Home Safe has endorsed the ‘Bring Fairness Back’ campaign led by Everybody’s Home by emailing the Treasurer imploring him prioritise social housing investment, homelessness services and rent assistance in the next federal budget.