Bridge It Flatmates Charity Partner

Flatmates Team

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Bridge It is a new charity which evolved from a successful social enterprise called Home Share Melbourne. Bridge It aims to create solutions to homelessness and housing stress. We do this through focusing on creating “homes” not houses and connecting people to support within their home and in the wider community.

image Ned and Nic who have been matched by Bridge It. Photo taken by Ian Lillington

Bridget It focus on the idea of a ‘home’ rather a house. A home is not just a bed and roof over your head, it’s somewhere that is safe, comfortable, welcoming, which is full of people (and pets!) who you have chosen to live with. A home is a sanctuary and how it feels can impact the rest of your life. Flatmates.com.au is helping Bridge It to find caring flatmates and welcoming homes for people in their program.

What are the benefits?

  • You can be confident that your new flatmate will have:
    • passed thorough background and reference checks;
    • been interviewed by a Bridge It coordinator; and
    • had their suitability assessed.
  • Get ongoing support from your coordinator, who will check in with you regularly to make sure everyone is happy with the arrangement and mediate if any issues arise.
  • Your coordinator will do the legwork for you and find you a suitable match.
  • Get help creating an agreement with your new flatmate that meets your needs.
  • You will make a difference in someone else’s life by giving them a home - a safe place to live.

Housing Focused Home Share Program

How does it work?

  1. Meet a Bridge It coordinator for a quick Zoom or chat to learn more.
  2. The Coordinator visits you at home to get to know you better.
  3. They match you with a new flatmate who is compatible to you. Your flatmate has undergone a background check, interview and had their situation assessed.
  4. The Coordinator introduces you to your match. If you are both happy you will get help making an occupancy agreement.
  5. Your new flatmate moves in!
  6. Your Coordinator provides ongoing support for a minimum of 6 months.

Who will my new flatmate be?

Your new flatmate will be someone who can sustain a tenancy. They could be an asylum seeker, refugee, affected by family violence, aged, or from a disadvantaged background.
Note: People who are sleeping rough and living on the street or who have complex needs are not eligible for this program.

What will the agreement be?

The agreement will be personalised and can be re-negotiated if your situation changes. The maximum rent and bills which is affordable for the people Bridge It supports is $100 per week.

imageOne of our householders, Kathryn, who found a new flatmate through Flatmates.com.au

Disability Home Share Program

Bridge It supports people who live with a disability to find a supportive flatmate who provides them with an average of 10 hours per week of companionship and support with light household tasks such as pet care and mentoring in exchange for free rent. The arrangements are very flexible. We assist people to create their housing vision and get this funded through their NDIS package. We can also assist in finding a home to rent. Finally, we will find you the perfect flatmate to support you to live in a connected way with the support of a likeminded flatmate.

Process:

  • Free initial consult by Zoom.
  • Complete an application form.
  • Be placed on waiting list.
  • Get assigned a Bridge It Coordinator.
  • HSM will complete a detailed assessment.
  • HSM will provide recommendations.
  • Housing vision planning.
  • Individual living options quote.
  • Plan review and advocacy provided.
  • Set up the Homeshare arrangement, find housing (when needed) and match with flatmates.
  • Bridge It will provide ongoing support to the match.

Does it cost money?

There may be fees for some arrangements. This will be determined on an individual basis. For people opening their homes to people within our target group, these fees will be waived.

Check out [Bridge It’s Vacancies](https://bridgeit.org.au/vacancies/{:target=”_blank”} if you are looking to join any of their programs.

How do I join?

[Contact the Bridge It Team](https://bridgeit.org.au/contact-us/} to see how you can get involved.

What if I am not eligible but still want to help?

Spread the word. Talk to your friends and family about Bridget IT, [donate to the service](https://bridgeit.org.au/support-us/}

author

Flatmates Team

support@flatmates.com.au

@flatmates

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