An initiative led by Australia Post and the Salvation Army in Victoria is seeing homeless people in Melbourne access personal mailboxes and storage facilities so they can protect their personal belongings and send and receive mail.
The initiative, also supported by the Collingwood Football Club and City of Melbourne, has seen a total of 171 personal mailboxes and more than 150 storage boxes provided.
Group Chief Executive and Managing Director at Australia Post, Christine Holgate said that previously, storage facilities at the Salvation Army’s Melbourne Project 614 were limited and at capacity, and mail deliveries for people without a fixed address could be received only via a single Post Office Box at a nearby Post Office.
Ms Holgate said the joint initiative was an opportunity to give people without a fixed address the chance to reconnect with society.
“We are pleased to help the Salvation Army provide this service and assist people who need our help the most,” Ms Holgate said.
“Personal onsite mailboxes enable people in special circumstances to re-establish connections with family and friends, Government and financial services, and accommodation, in a safe and secure place.”
She said the expanded storage facilities would also allow people to securely store all of their personal belongings, including sentimental items like family photos.
“For all members of our community, feeling safe and connected is really important,” Ms Holgate said.
