A place to call home
The Eltham Refugee
Housing and Support Project was delivered in partnership with St Vincent's Health Australia to provide accommodation and settlement support
to newly arrived refugees from Syria and Iraq.
From November 2016 to October 2018, refugees were provided with affordable accommodation in refurbished units on the site of St Vincent's Care Services Eltham Aged Care facility. During this time, CatholicCare provided tenancy and settlement
support.
Refugee families paid rent while staying in the units and were assisted with orientation to the local area (transport and other services) and linked
in to schools, training and employment opportunities. They were also assisted with English language, financial literacy, homework and social
support.
By providing this essential combination of housing and
settlement support, newly arrived refugees were able to adjust to their new home,
establish positive community links and rental history, and secure employment so
they were better equipped to move into the private rental market. By the end of the project, 42 refugee households came to live at the Eltham Project and were provided settlement support.
In November 2018, the accommodation
transitioned to affordable housing for seniors and 16 of the eligible refugee households made the decision to remain.
CatholicCare continues to support these families as part of our Settlement Engagement Transition Support program.
Thank you
This program was made possible through the generosity of our
valued donors and volunteers.
Eltham stories
The impact that this program has had on those involved has been overwhelming. These are just some of the stories of the many people who have been part of this extraordinary journey.
Venus and Janet
Najwa and Issa
Hanna and Khani
More information
Read a news
story
View the Eltham Project newsletters on our Publications page.
Watch a video (below) about the project
The Butterfly Project from bruce stephens on Vimeo.
Other services
Asylum Seeker Support
Refugee Settlement Program