Micah Projects: Vaccination and housing services for people experiencing homelessness
Homelessness Week 2024 runs from Monday August 5 to Sunday August 11.
People experiencing homelessness includes those who are living on the streets, in emergency accommodation, boarding houses or between shelters. According to census data, more than 122,000 people in Australia experience homelessness every night. While the most visible experience of homelessness involves sleeping rough on the streets, this type of homelessness makes up just 6% of all people experiencing homelessness.
About Micah Projects
Micah Projects is a community organisation committed to ensuring peoples' right to a home, an income, healthcare, education, safety, dignity and connection with their community of choice. Micah Projects have been commissioned to work alongside Brisbane South PHN to support people experiencing homelessness in Brisbane.
Vaccinations for people experiencing homelessness are offered via outreach through Micah Projects. Participants are engaged across a range of venues and support networks to increase access to vaccination and address barriers such as vaccine hesitancy, transport issues, and adverse response to hospitals or clinics.
This vaccination strategy focused on targeting people who are unable, due to personal circumstances, to book and present to regular vaccination outlets. Brisbane City Council funded the nurses and outreach vans contributing to this outcome.
Contact Micah Projects on 07 3036 4444 to request an outreach visit.
Useful tips for approaching people who are experiencing homeless
This simple 4-step guide created by Mission Australia offers some advice on how to engage with people experiencing homelessness.
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Start with warm acknowledgement: Like any other person in our life, approaching someone starts with warm acknowledgement. Look the person in the eye and take a moment to acknowledge their existence. We all feel better when we are acknowledged and not ignored.
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Say g’day: A simple hello can go a long way. Say g’day and introduce yourself. Saying hello doesn’t need to be overcomplicated. We know the drill when you are a stranger in a room. Stuck on what to say? Here’s an example, “Hello, my name is Bob and I walk past you every day and I thought today I would stop and say hello”.
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Engage in conversation: If the person wishes to engage and responds to your hello, have a conversation, and let them lead the direction. Depending on the person and their comfort levels, the conversation may involve more listening or asking simple questions to show them you care.
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Offer assistance: One of the best forms of assistance for anyone sleeping rough is support to access funded professional services like Micah Projects or Missionbeat.
Homelessness Week 2024 supporter action kit
You can view or download this support action kit created by Homelessness Australia: www.homelessnessaustralia.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Supporter-Pack-2023-13.pdf