Service Innovation Initiatives
We specialise in working with people with complex needs, often in times of crisis when they may be particularly vulnerable. So we know from experience how important it is to get it right the first time.
That’s why we develop evidence based strategies to guide our work in priority areas, as identified by our residents and communities. We also deliver a range of best practice projects using the latest local and international research.
Hand Up is an arrears management program that allows residents facing eviction for high levels of unpaid rent to save their tenancies and get the help they need.
Based on the successful Work Development Order model used by the NSW Government, Hand Up supports participants to pay off their rental debt by doing approved activities that address the underlying causes of rent arrears.
All participants undertake financial counselling and a range of other activities including study, volunteering and treatment programs.
Residents with rent arrears should contact the Housing Team on 02 8324 0885 to talk about Hand Up and other options for repayment.
With our traditional base in the inner city of Sydney, we have led the development and implementation of a number of innovative homelessness programs, and extended these partnerships across our portfolio.
We use a Housing First approach when working with rough sleepers, which is widely regarded as best practice both in Australia and internationally. This involves providing secure long term housing plus intensive wrap around support to ensure the tenancy can be sustained long term.
Projects include:
- Together Home: a partnership with Mission Australia, St Vincent de Paul and the Salvation Armywith NSW Government funding to house 45 rough sleepers in the private rental market during COVID-19.
- Step to Home: we partner with Neami National, Metro Community Housing and Women’s Housing Company to house 90 rough sleepers using a Housing First approach by 2022.
- Partnerships with specialist homelessness services: we provide tenancy and property management and our partner organisations including Options Youth, Youth Off The Streets and St Vincent de Paul provide intensive wrap around supports for people
- Connect 100: we are a key partner in a Department of Communities and Justice program that provides a rapid housing response for people experiencing homelessness who have drifted into the inner city
- Platform 70: we led Sydney’s original Housing First pilot program in partnership with Neami National, who delivered intensive psycho-social support services. We exceeded targets and were able to house 107 people, with over 70% of participants sustaining their tenancy once the program finished.
If you are experiencing homelessness contact the Bridge Housing Pathways Team on 8324 0890 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. during business hours. You can call Link2Home on 1800 152 152 at any time for information and referrals to support and accommodation services.
Building Bridges explains how Bridge and tenants are working together to deliver a plan of action for community and capacity building, and tenant participation activities.
Places People Want to Live is a multi-faceted place-making approach to the planning, design and management of communities.
Place-making capitalises on a local community's assets and potential with the intention of creating places and spaces that promote people's health, happiness, and wellbeing. Community engagement and participation are at the core of place-making.
Bridge Housing’s Reconciliation Action Plan, developed in consultation with the RAP Working Group, is our second plan to be endorsed by Reconciliation Australia.
Over the next two years, the focus will be on developing and strengthening relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, engaging staff and other stakeholders in reconciliation, and building strategies that support our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander tenant community and provide safe and secure housing opportunities.
We’ve partnered with leading Sydney property Developer Payce Consolidated and Women’s Community Shelters to house women experiencing homelessness in properties earmarked for redevelopment.
This Pathways Home model delivers safe, secure, affordable housing by repurposing under-utilised properties in a city with a severe housing shortage at no cost to government.
The model is now being promoted more broadly and is regarded as an innovative partnership model across the housing, homelessness and domestic violence sectors.
Read the Domain article: Land banked property could be key to housing people fleeing domestic violence, experts say
Bridge Housing has zero tolerance for violence against women and children. We are committed to ending violence against women and to supporting applicants, residents and our staff facing violence.
Our Domestic Violence Policy outlines how we work with residents and their children at risk of or experiencing domestic violence to ensure their safety. As part of our approach, we partner with a number domestic violence services to provide clear referral pathways for our residents and their children.
Our Violence Against Women Working Group leads our workplace response to domestic violence by organising staff fundraisers and events to continue raising awareness and providing direct support to our local community. We have a Domestic Violence in the Workplace Policy and a Domestic Violence Leave Policy to support our staff.