October 2004

Mildura units to keep Mallee kids under cover

A four-year partnership between Kids Under Cover and Mallee Accommodation and Support Program has resulted in the opening of the Davison Family Units in Mildura.

The four-unit, purpose-built facility will house young people while they make their transition from supported accommodation to independence.

The facility provides short-term emergency accommodation, residential care, a special needs unit and an independent living unit.

Residents take part in Mallee Accommodation and Support Program’s Placement and Independent Living (PAIL) program that takes them through stages to independent living.

They are taught a range of life-coping skills such as cleanliness, hygiene, cooking, household maintenance, budgeting, community responsibility and social interaction.

As they progress, the level of support is altered to reflect their need until they are prepared to move out and re-enter the community.

The Davison House project was initiated during a visit in 2000 by Kids Under Cover founding Chair Ken Morgan.

Financial contributions included more than a $250,000 from KUC, $35,000 from Mallee Accommodation and Support Program’s auction banquet and $50,000 from an anonymous corporate donor.

Community contributions comprised additional funds, materials, discounts on materials and labour.

The Office of Housing leased the land to Kids Under Cover and MASP.

Kids Under Cover is a Victorian not-for-profit organisation.

Its focus is on raising funds to build homes for homeless and at-risk young people throughout the state.

Kids Under Cover works in collaboration with more than 50 community service organisations in Victoria including Berry Street, Anglicare, Lighthouse Foundation and The Mirabel Foundation.

The agencies identify a housing need, apply to Kids Under Cover for either a house or a bungalow and case manage young people once their housing need has been met.

Since 1989, Kids Under Cover has built more than 140 bungalows and 16 houses.

It received $543,000 in funding in 2003/04 from the Department of Human Services and builds bungalows for young people associated with the Department’s Community Care, Office of Housing and Disability Services divisions.

Mallee Accommodation and Support Program receives annual funding of about $550,000 from the Office of Housing under its Supported Accommodation Assistance Program (SAAP).

It delivers support to people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, including young people.

Mallee Accommodation and Support Program has named Kids Under Cover’s Ken Morgan as its inaugural patron.

• For more information on Mallee Accommodation and Support Program’s Placement and Independent Living (PAIL) program contact Executive Officer Doug Tonge on 5023 3744.

• For more information about Kids Under Cover visit www.kuc.org.au or telephone 9663 2931.