Protected: Unison and Wombat strengthen support for people experiencing homelessness
Wombat Housing Support Services (Wombat) and Unison Housing (Unison) today announced the next step in their partnership, with Unison assuming governance responsibility for Wombat following a successful 12‑month Strategic Alliance. This builds on a strong foundation of collaboration between two well-established community organisations with a shared commitment to safe, secure and sustainable housing.
After working closely together over the past year, both organisations have recognised the collective value they bring to clients, renters, staff, partners and the broader housing and homelessness system. By aligning Wombat’s specialist support expertise with Unison’s housing and organisational capability, the partnership strengthens their ability to support people to find, keep and feel secure in their homes.
Unison CEO James King said the change responds to longstanding challenges caused by the fragmentation between housing and support systems:
“Too often, people are navigating disconnected services at the very moment they need stability. This step is about improving coordination and client experience so people can access the right support at the right time and sustain their housing.”
“By working together, we can achieve better outcomes for renters, clients, funding partners and communities,” Mr King said.
Wombat Board Chair Tara Durdin said the change builds on Wombat’s long-standing commitment to community-led, person-centred support:
“This change builds on our 12-month Strategic Alliance and ensures Wombat continues to operate as usual, while strengthening support for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.”
Importantly, Wombat will continue to operate as a separate and independent organisation, retaining its identity, board and mission.
Mr King emphasised that both organisations remain committed to working collaboratively across the sector. “This is not about creating a closed system,” he said.
“We will continue to work alongside other providers, maintain open referral pathways, and support people to choose the services that best meet their needs.”
For Wombat, the strengthened relationship supports long-term organisational sustainability while preserving the community-led identity, values and local knowledge that have shaped its work for more than 30 years.
Together, Unison and Wombat will continue working toward a shared vision: that people of all ages have access to safe, dignified and secure housing, and the support they need to fully participate in community life.
For media enquiries, please contact: communications@unison.org.au
