After experiencing homelessness for 18 years, Jon has now secured a home and is rebuilding a sense of community in regional Victoria.
By Alycia Johnson, Marketing & Communications Manager, CatholicCare Victoria
Homelessness in regional areas of Victoria often looks different from the large-city narrative. Service gaps, limited housing stock, and the stigma of small-community visibility add unique challenges. Yet, within this landscape, are stories of resilience and transformation – such as Jon’s.
For 18 years, Jon lived without a home in regional Victoria. Today, he is not only housed but is reconnecting with the things he loves most: music, mountain climbing, and community.
He got here thanks to his own determination, plus support from CatholicCare Victoria’s Homes First program, including the dedicated approach of his case coordinator, Dianne.
Early life and turning points
Jon grew up as what he describes as an “army brat”, moving frequently and living overseas due to his father’s role in the military.
“His dad was pretty ‘straight-down-the-line’,” says Dianne.
This strict upbringing, combined with suspected ADHD, made daily tasks challenging for Jon, and sowed seeds of conflict at home.
Despite these challenges, Jon built a career in the music industry. He worked for a production company, loading and unloading instruments and transporting musicians. It was a role that fuelled his passion – but also exposed him to substances that would change the course of his life.
“From a professional point of view, having your brain working differently to other people, and not knowing why, is the perfect recipe for addiction,” says Dianne.
“The fact that he was in the music industry, working with famous bands who introduced him to various substances, meant things spiralled for him – especially with undiagnosed mental health issues.”
Addiction, loss, and life on the streets
Jon’s addiction escalated quickly, costing him his career and eventually his housing.
“He got into his van one day and he just left everything behind,” says Dianne.
“As his addiction got worse, he lost his licence and lost his van, and all he was left with was his backpack. He would just walk around, wherever, and set up his tent.”
Over time, his tents became his only sense of home. He referred to them as his ‘lounge tent’, ‘kitchen tent’, and ‘bedroom tent’. But the cycle of drug use and declining mental health left him isolated and despairing, says Dianne.
“The longer he experienced homelessness, the more he started to lose hope, and the more he lost hope, the more he relied on drugs to make him feel better, and the more he used drugs, the less hope he had, so it was a huge cycle that he was struggling to break.”
Support on the ground
When Jon first engaged with CatholicCare Victoria’s Homes First program in February 2025, his motivation “was a 3 out of 10, based on the Drug and Alcohol STAR chart,” says Dianne.
“He didn’t want to get out of bed; he didn’t want to do anything.”
His mother, living interstate, provided a phone and small essentials, but he lacked close family support.
Dianne’s approach was steady and relational. Her weekly visits were not just about case management but about creating space for reflection.
“[Jon would] say, ‘I read this thing about ADHD’, and start talking me through it. So, I’ll explore what that means for him —how that’s going to change the way he does things, the way he understands himself or his environment.”
Through these conversations, Jon began to confront the guilt and shame he carried, recognising his ‘freeze response’ to conflict and how self-compassion could reduce his reliance on drugs.
“Once he realised that, he was able to be more kind to himself, and the kinder he was to himself, the less he used [substances] and he then realised it was connected, so [the progress] was cool to see,” says Dianne.
The housing gap
Homes First aims to provide immediate housing to those experiencing homelessness, but regional shortages meant Jon had to wait.
“[In] Homes First, when we engage with clients, the idea is that they get a house straight away, but that wasn’t the case because there just were no houses,” says Dianne.
In this context, outreach and connection became vital.
“Doing that assertive outreach, connecting him with other community services, talking about his goals, what his path looks like, and walking alongside him, so he doesn’t feel alone, that’s been a big part of it,” she says.
Partnerships with other services, such as Street to Home, provided Jon with a sense of hope while he waited.
“Between Street to Home and CatholicCare Victoria’s Homes First, we were able to give him something to look forward to. Realising that he could work towards getting a house, improved his motivation.”
Finally, in June, Jon received the keys to his own home.
Since then, says Dianne, “he’s like a different person – he’s bubbly, he’s happy and he’s talkative.”
Rediscovering music and the outdoors
With a stable base, Jon could reconnect with the passions that once gave him joy. He retrieved music equipment he had stored with a friend and began playing again.
“For those 18 years when he was experiencing homelessness, he couldn’t play his keyboard and have his guitar, and his [subwoofer] and [amplifier], so he’s been able to tap into those loves,” says Dianne.
Jon also returned to mountain climbing, building friendships and community connections through this activity. Having consistent shelter gave him the energy and confidence to pursue these parts of his identity.
Building community
Jon’s journey highlights how housing is just the first step – connection is equally crucial.
Through The Salvation Army, Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous, Jon has built new support networks.
“He’s engaging with his community and he’s not isolating himself from his neighbours,” says Dianne.
Jon takes pride in his home, often cleaning and repairing things around the house. His drug use has significantly reduced, his financial management has improved, and he is looking forward rather than back.
“He’s leaving the house to find communities he can connect with, which is very different for him from six months ago,” says Dianne.
“The fact that he is looking for connection, I feel, is our biggest success.”
This article first appeared in Parity magazine’s November 2025 edition, ‘Homelessness responses in regional Victoria’. Read more about Parity here.