The City of Melbourne also has a support team who conduct assertive outreach to assist anyone who may be experiencing homelessness.
If items or belongings accumulate or block pedestrian access, our officers may ask people sleeping rough to tidy up or leave a site. If this happens, we will work closely with partnered support services to make sure that people have the opportunity to access their fundamental needs, such as housing pathways, health and other basic needs.
We also continue to work with the Victorian Government and housing and homelessness agencies to reduce homelessness in Melbourne. We acknowledge that affordable housing continues to be an issue in our municipality. We will continue to support a coordinated response from all government bodies in developing a housing strategy and champion systemic change.
Protocol to address rough sleeping
In late 2017, Council adopted a protocol to address rough sleeping in the city. As a result, the City of Melbourne and Victoria Police trialled a response to how we approach encampments in the city and have now signed the protocol (PDF 228 KB) that formalises this trial.
The protocol and our ongoing work to address homelessness means that we can act quickly to address public safety and amenity, while also ensuring that the most vulnerable people in the city have access to the services they need.
We also continue to work with the Victorian Government and housing and homelessness agencies to reduce homelessness in Melbourne.