Our Newest Board Member Knows What It’s Like To Sleep Rough

 

Fiona Schlensog understands how it feels to be on either side of the table when it comes to homelessness services.

With 16 years' experience in the housing and social services industry, and as someone who's experienced chronic homelessness herself, Fiona Schlensog is bringing invaluable expertise to Launch Housing as the newest member of our board.

A proud Yidindji woman, hailing from and living in Geelong where she works as Family Violence Manager at Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-Operative, Fiona comes to Launch Housing's Executive Board with a nuanced understanding of cultural safety and community well-being.

Fiona has a rich background in managerial roles, including leadership positions at SalvoConnect Barwon. She's worked in the housing space since 2007, starting as an Aboriginal Tenants at Risk Worker supporting the community to maintain and sustain their tendencies.

Fiona has lived experience with homelessness, something that has shaped her life and career.

 

"I've done rough sleeping, in terms of abandoned buildings and all that sort of stuff, the works."

 

"I left home at 14, where I've lived in family group style accommodation. I've lived in City Limits Youth Refuge in Geelong. I've lived in crisis and transitional housing and Lead Tenant style accommodation then waited forever to get allocated public housing," she says.

"I have a real understanding and a real relatable experience to support people through that same journey. I think you've got to be empathetic with the people that you work with in this field."

Working closely in the Aboriginal housing space, Fiona understands many of the challenges people in her community face.

"As an Aboriginal person, I'm a part of the community that I live and work in. I have to consider that everything that I do, not only do I have to face it from nine to five in my role, but outside of nine to five, I'm going to hear about it too."

"Working in an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation ... you understand that every ACCO is an unofficial entry point. You know, they do the work unfunded and link people into various services"

Her understanding of what it's like to access these services and how they operate from the inside has given Fiona a nuanced understanding of quality service delivery for First Nations people and other vulnerable cohorts experiencing homelessness.

Having worked in Initial Assessment Programs (IAP) - the entry point for most people experiencing homelessness – Fiona understands the difficulty in having to turn people away because there aren't enough housing options.

 

"It's one of those things that just always sticks with you."

 

Joining Launch Housing's Board, Fiona brings that expertise and experience to further enrich our services to the almost 15,000 Melbournians supported each year.

"I think for me with being Aboriginal, having lived experience, having worked in multiple roles that exist within Launch Housing - but in other agencies - I hope to bring some of that lived experience and client voice." Fiona says.

"I'm always focused on - how does that impact the client? What's the experience for them? How does that impact them?"

Focusing on new builds and other housing models is a priority for Launch Housing, and something Fiona is excited to be part of.

"Being able to continue creating options and opportunities for those people, and for our workers to have some joy and success in making pathways is really amazing."