About us
Resource to the homelessness sector
The Local Area Service Networks (LASN) were established by Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH) for collaboration amongst Specialist Homelessness Service (SHS) providers with a focus on service system development and implementation of the Opening Doors framework.
The LASN was established in 2009. They operate across Victoria in every DFFH region and are funded to bring services together and share information and identify common needs and gaps in homelessness service provision.
Ovens Murray & Goulburn Local Area Service Network LASN
The LASN facilitate close working relationships between homelessness, family violence and other relevant services to promote and support the best possible responses to homelessness within a regional context.
LASN members meet on a regular basis to discuss, collaborate and strategise responses to current operational matters impacting the delivery of services in the homelessness sector. All members hold senior positions in their respective organisations with the required authority to make decisions regarding LASN matters.
The LASN also fulfil a critical role in capturing and communicating the impact of regional homelessness issues to state-wide LASN meetings, peak bodies and all levels of government, in particular, DFFH.
The LASN has a funded Statewide Homelessness Network Coordinator to implement plans and projects.
Local Area Service Network
Its purpose is to promote and support prevention of homelessness and best responses to homelessness within the Goulburn and Ovens Murray regional contexts. Our vision is an inclusive and integrated network working to prevent homelessness and holistically service the communities of our regions.
provide strategic leadership for homelessness, housing and family violence in the Ovens Murray and Goulburn Region
build on consistency and quality for service delivery practice amongst member agencies
make evidence based recommendations to the Department Families Fairness and Housing (DFFH) and Homes Victoria about responses to service gaps
North East Region
important working partnership between the member agencies in responding to homelessness and family violence
importance of the strength of this relationship in ensuring effective responses and best service outcomes for the Ovens Murray and Goulburn community; and
respective strengths of all member agencies.
Ovens Murray and Goulburn LASN Strategic Plan and Terms of Reference.
To find out more about the Ovens Murray and Goulburn LASN, please contact rmurtagh@beyondhousing.org.au
Our members
The Victorian Regional Homelessness Networks, established in 1996, cover all DFFH regions in Victoria. They blend grassroots and strategic objectives and play a pivotal role in addressing homelessness issues through regular member communication.
These networks also bolster service capabilities by identifying solutions for gaps and barriers, emphasising strategic communication with various stakeholders. Network Coordinators oversee sixteen member agencies in the Ovens Murray and Goulburn regions under Beyond Housing's auspices.
Berry Street's Better Futures program assists young people transitioning from care to become independent yet connected adults and offers support across all aspects of a young person’s life, encouraging a voice in their decision making and their future.
The Shepparton Education First Youth Foyer provides integrated learning and accommodation for young people aged16-24 who are at risk of or experiencing homelessness.
BeyondHousing is the homelessness entry point for OMG regions. Our vision is “Home. Not homeless”. We provide a diverse range of support services to help secure or maintain housing to those who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness. BeyondHousing is a community housing organisation also providing Transitional Housing within OMG area.
The Bridge Youth Service mission is to create opportunities that foster safety and security for young people, enhance family harmony and promote supportive communities – enabling all young people to reach their full potential.
The Centre Against Violence (CAV) offers free, specialist family violence crisis intervention services and short-term case management, to victim survivors, including LGBTQIA+ people and children, who are experiencing current family violence crisis. Our team helps victim survivors to stay in their community safely, wherever possible and to live a life free of violence while also addressing their emotional and practical needs and issues arising from the violence.
The department is responsible for child protection, prevention of family violence, housing, disability, multicultural affairs, LGBTIQ+ equality, veterans, and the offices for Women and Youth.
Gateway Health provides health and wellbeing services to individuals, families and communities across North East Victoria and parts of Southern New South Wales.
Junction Support Services are a not-for-profit organisation that supports people in north-east Victoria who are disadvantaged through poverty, homelessness, family breakdown, social isolation, family violence, mental ill health and drug and alcohol addiction. Junction Support Services have been changing lives since 1989.
Mind Australia supports people experiencing mental health and wellbeing concerns to find help, hope and purpose in their lives. We are one of the leading specialist community housing providers in Australia for people experiencing a psychosocial disability, and we are a registered NDIS provider, entrusted to deliver federal and state government services.
Mungabareena provides culturally appropriate services to connect and work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and families and create pathways for a better future.
NESAY is a youth and family community agency based in Wangaratta and Benalla. We provide outreach to the Wodonga, Indigo, Alpine and Mansfield Shires.
Our mission is to support young people and their families in our community to achieve their goals and aspirations.
Nexus Primary Health provides a comprehensive range of services to support individuals and families across the Mitchell and Murrindindi Shires.
Primary Care Connect provides inclusive community health care services of the highest quality. We work collaboratively with our clients and other services to best support the health and wellbeing needs of all people.
The Homelessness Assistance Program provides support and assistance to Aboriginal community members who are homeless, or at risk of homelessness.
This program provides advocacy and support, linking with a range of services, to access suitable housing, health and lifestyle opGons to address the needs of the community member and their family.
Safe Steps provide specialist support services for anyone in Victoria who is experiencing or afraid of family violence.
The Salvation Army Youth Programs provide support to young people aged 16-25 who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. The Salvation Army has also been running adult homelessness services in the Hume Region for twenty-one years. Within that period, it has been managing two programs namely the Homelessness Support Program (HSP) and the Assertive Outreach Connections Program (OCP).
The Statewide Children’s Resource Program (SCRP) is funded by DFFH to assist, support and resource Specialist Homelessness System services and other non-government agencies and sectors to respond more effectively to the needs of children and young people who have experienced homelessness and /or family violence. Each DFFH region has their own SCRP Coordinator who are positioned to meet specific regional needs. The SCRP program’s core functions include secondary consultation, training, networking, advocacy, resource development, and brokerage.
VincentCare Victoria’s primary focus is to provide quality services for people at risk, or experiencing homelessness. We working closely with our clients in order to best understand their needs and provide them with support and encouragement to enable greater independence. We are also their proudest advocates.
YH provides the Homelessness with support program to assist those who are homeless, or at risk of homelessness in Yarrawonga and Cobram areas. All referrals come through the local intake service which is Beyond Housing in Wangaratta (for Yarrawonga clients) and the Shepparton Beyond Housing office for Cobram clients. Casemanagement is the key role of the program, working on client’s identified goals and issues.
