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Homelessness operational program guidelines

The primary objective of operational program guidelines is to establish the necessary requirements for delivering funded homelessness activities in Victoria.
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Homelessness operational program guidelines glossary  

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Introduction

Operational program guidelines establish clear requirements and expectations for organisations and complement the Service Agreement that organisations have with the Department of Fairness, Families and Housing (DFFH).

The operational program guidelines instruct organisations working with people experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness to ensure consistency and high-quality service delivery.

How to use these guidelines

To effectively implement the operational program guidelines, it is a requirement to consider them alongside the Homelessness Services and Support Guidelines 2025 and the Service Agreement that each organisation has with DFFH. The Service Agreement includes the operational program guidelines for programs which the organisation is funded to deliver.

Roles of Government entities

The Department of Families, Fairness and Housing works to create a more inclusive society. The department funds Specialist Homelessness Services and delivers services. A full overview of the roles of the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing, including the roles of local areas and Homes Victoria can be found Roles of Government entities webpage.

To Applicable policy requirements

Please refer to the Homelessness and Housing Support Guidelines for a list of applicable policy requirements.

Schedule of program guidelines by homelessness function

Homes Victoria are committed to reviewing operational program guidelines (program guidelines) every five years. Below is the proposed schedule for 2025 to 2029 for program guidelines to be reviewed. The program guidelines are grouped into one of nine homelessness functions. For further information on the nine functions please refer to the Homelessness and Housing Support Guidelines 2025 Functions of the homelessness service system webpage.

2025

  • Homelessness Guidelines
  • Client Support and Case Management
  • Initial Assessment and Planning
  • THM and Tenancy administration
  • Flexible Funding (HEF guidelines)
  • Staffed Accommodation

2026

  • Client Support and Case Management
  • Staffed Accommodation
  • Support to Establish and Maintain Tenancies
  • Homelessness System enablers

2027

  • Client Support and Case Management
  • Support to Establish and Maintain Tenancies
  • Staffed Accommodation
  • Initial Assessment and Planning
  • Homelessness System enablers

2028

  • Client Support and Case Management
  • Homelessness System Enablers

2029

  • Client Support and Case Management
  • Essential needs centres and mobile drop in centres
  • Capital Grant