Homelessness Orgs Merge
16 July 2015 at 11:30 am
Two of Melbourne’s largest housing and homelessness Not for Profit services, HomeGround Services and Hanover, have merged to form Launch Housing.
The merged NFPs say Launch Housing will provide flexible specialist services that directly assist and improve the lives of more than 20,000 people experiencing homelessness every year.
Tony Keenan, former CEO of Hanover, will lead Launch Housing and is joined by the former CEO of HomeGround Services, Dr Heather Holst, in the role of Deputy CEO and Director of Services.
Keenan said he was proud to be appointed CEO of Launch Housing at this pivotal time in the organisation’s history.
“I’m proud and humbled to lead Launch Housing. Hanover and HomeGround are two important organisations with a proud history. Both organisations have a shared legacy of not only providing quality services but also of influencing change,” Keenan said.
“Our shared values reflect a clear determination that everyone has a right to a home and the establishment of Launch Housing marks the start of our determination to turn our vision to end homelessness, into a reality.
“The merger is a strong and determined response to the growing number of people experiencing homelessness and draws together two organisations with a shared mission and strong alignment of values.
“Launch Housing will advocate strongly for affordable housing and will lead research into homelessness to produces better outcomes for people experiencing homeless and lasting, positive change for the community.”
Keenan said the organisation would provide quality services and advocate for further funding to meet increased demand.
“Specialist homeless services will directly assist and improve the lives of the thousands of men, women, young people, children and families experiencing homelessness every year from 14 sites across Melbourne,” he said.
“Our new name was suggested by a staff member and reflects the organisation’s drive to constantly seek to create opportunities for people to access housing, support and the services they need to break out of homelessness. Launch Housing’s new tagline reflects the organisation’s mission: To end homelessness.”
Chair of the Launch Housing Board, Neil Chatfield said the merger was a strong and determined move in response to constant demand on services from the growing number of people experiencing homelessness.
“This is an important step for HomeGround and Hanover – we were two organisations in strong financial health, with rich, vibrant histories, well connected to their communities and well known for providing high quality services.
“We both faced increasing demand on our services, the indifference of many in the community to those experiencing homelessness and the unacceptable reality that in a country as rich as Australia, we face increasing numbers of people experiencing homelessness. We’re drawing a line – we have to change this,” he said.
