Government launches new 6-point plan to strengthen homelessness response

The Victorian Government has a new 6-point plan to help fight homelessness and help people at risk of or experiencing homelessness access and maintain safe and secure housing.

Premier Ben Carroll and Minister for Homelessness Nick Staikos launched the plan, which will use current funding and new tools to break the cycle of homelessness.

The plan includes these key actions:

• A new online system and list to track names, figure out who needs help first, and gather data.
• Special care coordinators across the state to connect people to services faster and cut down wait times.
• More outreach workers in every area of the state to find and help people living on the streets.
• Faster access to Housing First programs for people sleeping rough.
• More money for youth homelessness centers in both city and country areas.
• Extra renting support for 1,000 more people who are at risk of losing their homes.

These actions will help get people off the streets and into homes faster. It will also give them the support they need to stay housed. This new plan builds on the government's $300 million yearly budget for homelessness services.

It also adds to major housing investments already happening, including:

• the Big Housing Build
• Housing First responses like supportive housing
• Homes First
• Journey to Social Inclusion (J2SI).