Haven Colac is due to open in early-2025

Haven Colac provides people who have significant mental ill-health with long-term social housing and 24/7 support from on-site Mind Australia staff. This integrated social housing and support service is a partnership between Mind and community housing provider The Haven Foundation - a subsidiary of Mind.  

Haven residences are high-quality housing with support for people with significant mental health and wellbeing concerns to find help, hope and purpose in their lives. They are a place for people with significant mental health and wellbeing concerns to live independently while receiving support from qualified mental health workers who help them to achieve their unique NDIS Plan goals. Residents learn life skills, like confidence and connection with others, to help build a healthy lifestyle. The Haven Foundation and Mind Australia model also promotes and supports the involvement of family, friends and carers.  

About the Haven residence  

Haven Colac, is located southwest of Melbourne in Colac Otway Shire Council, and features 14 one-bedroom homes set in beautifully landscaped grounds, providing a relaxing environment to focus on recovery while feeling at home.  

Each unit features a main bedroom with built-in wardrobe, bathroom, kitchen and eating area, European laundry, lounge room and outdoor courtyard or balcony.  

The residence also features communal recreational and lounge areas, kitchen, meeting spaces and on-site overnight facilities for Mind’s mental health staff. Haven Colac is also close to public transport, local shops and other amenities. Tenancy is managed by The Haven Foundation.   

Who are Haven residences for?  

Mind's Housing with support services are designed for people whose capacity to live independently is impacted by long-term mental ill-health. Haven residences are designed for people with psychosocial disability who require 24/7 support for people and are seeking a residence with a strong focus on family and carer engagement and community connection.     

Haven residents typically have a wide range of previous experiences and pathways, including:  

  • NDIS participant with a diagnosed psychosocial disability or significant mental health issues  
  • experiencing or at risk of homelessness, sub-acute or acute mental health residential care  
  • unsustainable living situations, e.g. domestic violence  
  • family home with ageing parents or supported residential service or caravan park.  

Haven Colac was funded by Homes Victoria as part of the $5.3 billion Big Housing Build and delivered in partnership with Mind Australia and The Haven Foundation.   

Do I need an NDIS package to live in a Haven residence? 

In most cases, residents fund their Housing with support service via their NDIS package. Residents with NDIS Flexible Core packages that feature funding for Activities of Daily Living, or Supported Independent Living, typically choose help with:  

  • decision making, daily planning and budgeting  
  • building skills for shopping and cooking for healthy eating  
  • written communication and filling in forms  
  • learning to maintain a household with tasks such as laundry and cleaning  
  • developing and maintaining connections with family and friends  
  • getting ready for the day and other personal care tasks. 

Residents must: 

  • have enduring mental health and wellbeing concerns   
  • be between 18-64 years of age   
  • have the financial means to pay for rent/board and utilities  
  • have an NDIS package to fund housing support  
  • sign a residential tenancy agreement with The Haven Foundation   
  • be on or eligible for the Victorian Housing Register. 

How do I register my interest for Haven residences?   

To register your interest in this Haven residence or for general information about Mind services, contact Mind Connect on 1300 286 463 or email [email protected].  

Get more information on other Haven residences.   

Subscribe to our Housing with support newsletter here.  

Download the flyer (PDF 2 MB)

Haven Colac is due to open in early 2025

Why choose Mind for Housing with support services?   

We have been providing mental health and wellbeing support to people, and their families, friends and carers, for more than 45 years. Every individual's journey to a life of meaning and purpose is unique, which is why our services are flexible and offer genuine choice and control.  

We work with residents and their families, friends and carers to build a high quality, program of support tailored to their unique needs and NDIS plan goals. Our qualified staff work in partnership with residents and their family, friends and carers to strengthen personal skills and build independence.  

We promote a sense of community in our housing services to encourage residents to share and support each other, including taking part in group activities.  

Some of our Housing staff are peer workers – people with lived experience of mental ill-health. Our peer workers lead skills-based peer learning workshops with residents among other work. We are a leading employer of people with lived experience, recognising their unique ability to connect with and motivate clients and guide recovery.   

What do our Haven residents say?  

“The wonderful thing is that all the residents have their own space and choose what they want to take part in or what support they need – we all have the chance to actively work on our recovery alongside one another and Mind staff.” – Read Heather’s story here.  

Contact details

Details

Funding types available

NDIS

Age range

18-64 years old