But once a fortnight he dons a different cap, working as a concierge at Haven’s busy client centre, opening doors, fetching tea and coffee and generally making people feel at ease.

“It’s a really grounding experience,” Mr Roccisano says of concierge duty, which every staff member must perform, from the CEO to the social workers.

“People come in here because they need help. It’s hard to get a sense of it unless you’re here in the thick of it.”

In the past five months Mr Roccisano has overseen the development of 500 properties for Haven, which is now Bendigo’s biggest property owner. With rental vacancy at below one per cent the demand for affordable housing in Bendigo doesn’t look to get any lower.

‘Vicki’, 23, and her three children – all under five – have spent four years without a house.

Up to 50 people have fronted up to the centre this week facing homelessness.

“Because I’ve never rented before, I don’t have a rental history,” she said. “Real estate agents won’t even look at you.”

After living in caravan parks and staying with family, the young mother was desperate for somewhere “safe and settled” for her children by the time she walked into Haven’s Forest Street office.

“I’ve never felt like they look down on you,” Vicki said. “There’s a sense of relief when you walk through the door.”