Ending homelessness is a priority for the City of Melbourne. Facilitated by Homes Melbourne and the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing, the MHSCP project brings together 17 agencies to deliver coordinated tailored support and housing for people sleeping rough in the City of Melbourne. This includes:
- integrating assertive outreach teams
- coordinating specialist services connecting people sleeping rough with housing and support services
- responding to structural and strategic issues to prevent homelessness and support people at risk of homelessness.
The key activities that the project is currently undertaking include:
- The Daily Support Team - linking people sleeping rough to support services, health and housing to find permanent pathways out of homelessness.
- Australia’s first dedicated Library Social Worker providing support and referrals to people experiencing homelessness.
- Supporting the By Name List, gathering data about homelessness and linking people to supports and housing that they need.
In addition to the City of Melbourne, the following agencies make up the MHSCP:
- Anglicare
- Bolton Clarke
- cohealth
- Homes Victoria
- Justice Connect
- Launch Housing
- Melbourne City Mission
- Melbourne Health
- Ngwala Willumbong
- North Western Mental Health,
- St Vincent’s Hospital
- The Salvation Army
- Unison Housing,
- Victoria Police
- Vincentcare
- Wintringham
- Youth Projects
The state of homelessness in the City of Melbourne
In recent years, there have been significant changes to the MHSCP and the broader homelessness service system in the Melbourne CBD and surrounding areas. This includes the introduction of a By Name List in mid 2020 and in late 2022, which provides real time numbers on people experiencing homelessness and sleeping rough in the city. It also includes the endorsement of an adapted Functional Zero methodology to better respond to people sleeping rough in Melbourne and drive improved service and housing outcomes.
To find out more, visit Melbourne ZeroOpens in new tab.
