Victoria’s homelessness 6-point plan
Why we need a new direction
Homelessness can affect anyone at any stage of life, and now more than ever it demands our absolute, undivided focus at the highest level of government. The impact of homelessness is profound, resulting in deteriorating health, loss of social connections and unfulfilled potential. Addressing homelessness restores dignity and stability for individuals and families while strengthening our entire community.
The Victorian Government has invested heavily in building new social housing, developing new supportive housingmodels, and expanding prevention and early intervention programs to better support people sleeping rough.
By establishing homelessness as its own dedicated ministerial portfolio, we are ensuring that every dollar, every policy,and every decision is directly anchored to the safety, security and dignity of every person in our community.
Our 6-point plan for homelessness builds on this investment and outlines the actions needed to fill critical service gaps and build a future-focused homelessness service system.
What we have achieved so far
The Victorian Government has been investing in housing and homelessness services that provide people experiencing homelessness with access to immediate support, accommodation and longer-term housing options.
- 6000+ people sleeping rough have been supported since the launch of the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Action Plan in 2018
- 360 supported accommodation dwellings across Victoria, up from 60 located only in metropolitan Melbourne
- 10 new youth homelessness accommodation and support initiatives
- 1,200+ households benefit from Housing First responses
- 11,000+ new social housing homes since 2015, delivered through an investment of more than $6.3 billion into social and affordable housing.
Homelessness 6-point plan
Our 6-point plan addresses the most pressing issues in the homelessness system and sets the framework for the future.
1. Establish by-name lists and trial an online triage tool
2. Expand the number and reach of assertive outreach workers
3. Embed dedicated service coordination for people sleeping rough
4. Increase access into Housing First responses for people sleeping rough
5. House more young people
6. Expand tenancy supports to prevent Victorians returning to homelessness
Our 6-point plan is underpinned by our 3 action areas:
- Responding to rough sleeping: Too many people are experiencing chronic homelessness, with an unacceptably large number of Victorians sleeping rough. We need a better coordinated response that makes better use of existing programs and is more tailored to people’s needs.
- Getting people housed: Our specialist housing and support models have expanded in response to growing demand. We need to ensure that they continue to operate sustainably, now and into the future.
- Keeping people housed: Ensuring people at risk of homelessness are provided with help before they experience crisis is crucial. Ongoing support is necessary to keep people supported in their home and avoiding homelessness.
Read more about these action areas:
