The V Centre: Veteran Empowerment Program
Combining a safe place to live
with individualised wraparound support
Updated: 20 April 2023
Vasey RSL Care’s Mission is to ‘Serve Those Who Served’ – veterans and their immediate families.
Research shows that:
- Thousands of returned servicemen and women are homeless – around 6,000 across Australia.
- On average, around 300 veterans become homeless every year.
- Homelessness for veterans is nearly three times higher than the general population at 5.3% compared to 1.9%.
- Veteran suicide rates are higher than the general public and on average around 70 veterans take their owns lives each year.
The V Centre Veteran Empowerment Program will assist over 100 veterans in its first three years. It will empower them to overcome the challenges they face with support tailored to each individual. The Program will require a commitment from the veteran and will provide ongoing support to maintain links to community, peers and groups after they leave the program. The length of their stay will depend on their indvidual needs and circumstances.
“We must act now. We cannot wait while more veterans become homeless, become hopeless and succumb to despair,” says Janna Voloshin, CEO, Vasey RSL Care.
“Vasey RSL Care is asking for a total of $12.7 million spread over three years to partner with us make The V Centre Veteran Empowerment Program a reality. This has the potential to not only change lives, but to save lives.
“We are investing $11.04 million into this project. We have undertaken extensive research, decommissioned one of our smaller aged care homes, and put resources into this important new venture.
“We cannot look on while military veterans remain homeless. We need to act now.”
Vasey RSL Care lodged a Pre-Budget Submission with the Federal Government to support the operation of the V Centre for its first three years.
“My message to our Government is: ‘In the spirit of ANZAC, act now’. We are seeking $12.7 million in the May budget, so veterans’ lives that are hanging in the balance can be saved.”
Hear from Veterans about their Experiences of Homelessness (8 minutes)
The V Centre: The Why and the How
PDF Version Flipbook Version
The V Centre is located adjacent to the Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital with its unique veteran-specific services and near Vasey RSL Care’s ex-service accommodation units.
News & Media
ABC 7.30 Report: Monday 17 April 2023
“People say to me, ‘you don’t look homeless’.”
Channel 9 Today Show: Sunday 19 March 2023
“…people move in hear with a backpack off the street…”
Vasey RSL Care News Stories
4 April 2023: Ms Kate Thwaites MP launches the refurbishment of The V Centre with an official ‘Wall-Breaking Ceremony’
20 March 2023: Response to Channel 9’s Today Show story
6 March 2023: The V Centre – help make it happen
7 February 2023: Pre-budget submission lodged – calling on our community to support our submission
The V Centre: Resources
Floor Plan
Visual Representations
Background Research
Read data and insights from our research.
Partner with Us
Meetings with service providers, government representatives, philanthropic organisations and potential partners are being undertaken to determine how to work together to ensure we provide full ‘wraparound’ services for the needs of the veterans.
If your organisation or group would like a briefing on the V Centre or to discuss partnering for service provision for V Centre participants, please get in touch with us via General Manager Veteran Services, Chris Gray (chris.gray@vaseyrslcare.org.au).