Having a home is essential to a person’s health and wellbeing. Unfortunately, not all Australians have the same access to safe and affordable housing.
The absence of a home, what we call homelessness, is a deeply distressing and isolating experience, cutting people off from their community and making it extremely difficult for them to actively participate in our society. Even simple things like attending school, going to work or getting to medical appointments are very hard when you do not have a stable home.
Homelessness can take many forms, with the most visible being primary homelessness or ‘rough sleeping’; when a person is sleeping on the streets, in parks, in cars and in vacant properties.
Rough sleeping makes up around 7 per cent of homelessness while the remainder is ‘hidden homelessness’, living in rooming houses, on couches or over-crowding.
Here in Dandenong, we have the highest level of homelessness in Victoria with 2,366 people experiencing homelessness.
The causes of a person experiencing homelessness are varied. Financial difficulties, family and domestic violence, and the housing crisis all contribute to the growing levels of homelessness in Australia.
Council's response to homelessness
Council continues to integrate and expand its response to housing and homelessness, guided by Council's Housing Strategy and Action Plan 2021-2024 and the 'Dandenong Zero' project.
Our approach reflects the complex nature of homelessness and treating all people with respect and dignity whilst balancing our duties of care to the community.
Dandenong Zero
Council has a partnership response to homelessness with Launch Housing through the Dandenong Zero Project, which is trying to end rough sleeping homelessness as a first step toward ending all homelessness in the City of Greater Dandenong.
Find out more about the Dandenong Zero Project.
How to respond to a person rough sleeping
If you find someone sleeping rough in Greater Dandenong, you can make a referral to Council. Please provide the location, description of person, duration of stay and any access or behaviour information to us via email, communitysafety@cgd.vic.gov.au.
After a referral has been made, Council works with Launch Housing, through the Dandenong Zero Partnership, to offer help to people sleeping rough.
Housing and Homelessness Support
If you are currently experiencing or at risk of homelessness, call the Victorian Statewide Homelessness Line on 1800 825 955 (free call, open 24/7) to be connected with an Access Point in your area.
If you are experiencing family violence you can call Safe Steps on 1800 015 188 (free call, open 24/7) and speak confidentially for information on family violence support services, legal rights and accommodation options.
To locate services nearby – such as meals, clothes, support, showers, accommodation, or laundry services – visit Ask Izzy.
