H3 Alliance Rough Sleeper Outreach Program

At cohealth, we believe everyone deserves a place to call home. It’s not just about having a safe place to sleep, but a stable foundation where people can feel safe and supported.

cohealth, in partnership with Bolton Clarke, delivers the H3 Rough Sleeper Outreach Program which aims to provide vital support to individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness in the Wyndham municipality.

The program operates by conducting outreach across Wyndham to engage with people who are sleeping rough, offering them not only housing assistance but also comprehensive wraparound health and social support.

Joshua Gliwa, Team Leader of H3 Rough Sleeper Outreach Program, says the main purpose of the program is to respond to reports of people sleeping rough in the Wyndham area and help them connect with housing and other support services.

“The team will go out and engage people who are sleeping rough in the community, offer them support, try and link them to cohealth services, then try and work towards getting them into some sort of housing,” says Joshua.

“We let them drive what they want from us and how we support them on their journey.”

Building trust with individuals who are often hidden in homelessness requires patience and sensitivity. The outreach team understands that it might take several interactions to demonstrate their commitment and reliability.

“Although we’re a small program, we do a great job at building rapport and helping people feel seen who are hidden in homelessness,” he says.

“These little interactions, whether it’s just dropping in to say hi or helping them connect with services, can have a massive positive impact on someone’s situation.

By reaching out and showing that we care, it could a turning point in someone’s journey.”

This initiative is part of the H3 alliance—a collaboration of health, housing, and homelessness service providers working together to improve housing services and support in Wyndham City Council.

Through the H3 Rough Sleeper Outreach Program, cohealth and Bolton Clarke are working to ensure that everyone in Wyndham has the opportunity for a secure and supportive place to call home.