Peer Support for People Living in Housing Poverty

Homeless people and refugees face isolation and atomisation, lacking social connections and struggling to access basic services like healthcare and education. Traditional social work often involves hierarchical relationships, which hinder trust and empowerment. These individuals need support systems that promote integration, mutual respect, and empowerment in managing their everyday lives.

Lived experience becomes a valuable resource when peer support pairs mentors who have overcome similar challenges with current mentees. Support for accessing services and navigating daily life flows through these horizontal relationships. Trust develops more naturally while power imbalances diminish, strengthening community connections and easing societal integration for formerly homeless and refugee clients.

A coordinator and senior mentor provide oversight for six paid mentors within this democratic, participatory structure. Case discussions occur during weekly mentor meetings where professional support remains readily available. Mentors benefit from ongoing supervision and training opportunities to enhance their skills. Comprehensive client support emerges through mentor connections with social workers and complementary services when situations require additional resources.

Non-judgmental spaces where both mentors and mentees feel safe represent the core innovation of this peer mentorship approach. Tailored support and advocacy develop through consistent contact, helping clients navigate service systems and understand their rights. Individual and collective empowerment grows alongside mentors' personal development. Vulnerable populations experience greater integration and social inclusion through this relationship-centered methodology.

Empowerment and advocacy thrive through peer support models that equip clients to navigate complex public services and assert their rights. Awareness spreads as the model reaches NGOs, homeless services, and academic settings, helping reduce stereotypes about homeless people and refugees. Professional validation comes through research studies and publications that recognize this approach as exemplary practice, leading other service providers to adopt similar frameworks.