About Us

Supporting People Experiencing Homelessness

St Mary’s House of Welcome is a Specialist Access Point for people experiencing homelessness in the heart of Melbourne. We provide basic essential services to people who are homeless and experiencing disadvantage, severe and persistent mental health issues, and those who are extremely isolated, socially marginalised and are at risk of falling through the gaps.

Many of those who come to St Mary’s House of Welcome for help experience multiple issues such as sleeping rough, substance addiction, poverty, childhood trauma, mental illness, and institutionalisation, all of which have resulted in chronic social and health problems. 

Our service model means that anyone who needs help can come to the centre for practical assistance. Whether it’s a meal, a shower and a change of clean clothes or other material aid, or more specialist support such as information, referral to access specialist services, legal support and emergency relief, at St Mary’s House of Welcome, we welcome all those in need.

Donate Now

Providing support to our community since 1960

St Mary’s House of Welcome first opened on May 30 1960. Here is what some of our staff, volunteers and service users say about what SMHOW means to them.

Our Purpose

Our Mission

In the heart of Fitzroy, we stand with Melbourne’s most vulnerable - listening deeply, welcoming with dignity and creating connections that transform lives

Inspired by the spirit of the Daughters of Charity and underpinned by the Principles of Catholic Social Teaching, we welcome the most vulnerable members of our community, respect them, treat them with dignity, listen, and support them to appreciate their worth and achieve their full potential

Our Values

  • Each person is a unique creation of God. Respect is a building block to authentic relationships and engendering of hope.

  • Relationships are essential for building trust and are a basis for wellbeing and spiritual fulfilment.

  • Welcoming brings to life the acknowledgement and celebration of the dignity and worth of each person.

  • Responsiveness is a Gospel imperative which pursues positive social change and challenges us to reflect on and evaluate what we do.

  • Hope gifts us with the vision to realise the potential in our lives, encourages us to achieve, and sustains us in difficult and challenging times.