Like many people experiencing homelessness, Mike* never expected to find himself sleeping in his car. After work dried up during the COVID pandemic, he lost the cabin he had been calling home.

At first, Mike wasn't ready to ask for help. He felt a sense of shame about his situation and was hesitant to engage with support services.

That's where Project Zero made a difference.

Led by Uniting Vic.Tas and supported through the Ballarat Innovation Grant, Project Zero brings local organisations together to better support people experiencing rough sleeping. Through assertive outreach, support workers meet people where they are, build relationships over time and connect them with the services they need when they're ready.

When outreach workers first met Mike, he wasn't ready to talk. He would only wind the window down slightly before ending the conversation. The outreach team continued checking in over the following weeks. On one visit, Mike broke down in tears and began talking about what had been happening in his life.

That conversation gave the outreach team a better understanding of Mike's circumstances and the support he needed. Through Project Zero's By-Name List, local organisations were able to coordinate a response around his needs, rather than expecting him to navigate the system on his own.

Mike was referred to Peplow House, where he spent six weeks in transitional housing before moving into longer-term accommodation. From there, he continued receiving coordinated support to help him rebuild his life.

Today, Mike is studying for a Certificate IV in Community Services, working casually and continuing his recovery from alcoholism. He's focused on the future and taking the next steps towards greater independence.

Mike's story reflects what Project Zero is designed to do. By bringing local organisations together through the By-Name List, services can coordinate care around the individual rather than expecting people to navigate the system on their own. This collaborative approach helps people access housing, health care and the long-term support they need to move forward.

Through the Ballarat Innovation Grant, the Ballarat Foundation helped fund the technology behind the By-Name List, strengthening collaboration between local services and improving the way people experiencing rough sleeping are supported.

Every person's journey is different, but Mike's story shows what can happen when organisations work together, trust is built over time and support is centred around the individual.

Name changed to protect privacy.