Homelessness in Brimbank
Homelessness takes many forms. It includes people living on the street or in cars (‘rough sleeping’), staying temporarily with other households (‘couch surfing’), or living in severely overcrowded dwellings. Brimbank has the highest incidence of homelessness in Melbourne’s west, and the largest number of people accessing specialist homelessness services in Victoria.
Council’s response to homelessness
Preventing and responding to homelessness is the responsibility of all levels of government. In late 2019, Council commissioned a research report into homelessness in Brimbank. The project aimed to address gaps in our local understanding of homelessness, and to clarify the role Council can play to improve outcomes.
The report’s recommendations have been compiled into an implementation plan, which is aligned with Council’s COVID-19 Response and Recovery Strategy. The implementation plan includes actions focused on a range of topics, including advocacy, community education, Council protocols, information provision, and research and data collection.
- Read Report 12.8 – Homelessness Research Project which was presented to Council at the Ordinary Council Meeting on 23 June 2020. This report includes all the attachments to the Homelessness Research Project.
- Homelessness Implementation Plan
Getting support
Western Metro Homelessness Services (formerly SASHS)
WMHS is the primary assessment and intake point for the Brimbank-Melton area.
- Call 9312 5424 or email sunshine.iap@salvationarmy.org.au
- Located at 6/147 Harvester Road, Sunshine
- Open 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday
- Visit their website for more information
Frontyard Youth Services
Frontyard Youth Services provide support for young people (aged 16 to 24) experiencing homelessness.
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Call 9977 0077 or 1800 800 531 or email frontyard@mcm.org.au
- Located at 19 King Street, Melbourne
- Open 9am-8pm weekdays, 10am-6pm weekends and public holidays (except Christmas Day)
- Visit their website for more information
St Kilda Crisis Centre (Salvation Army)
The St Kilda Crisis Centre provides after hours information and emergency accommodation for people experiencing an immediate homelessness crisis.
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Call 1800 627 727
- Located at 29 Grey Street, St Kilda
- Open 9am-11pm, seven days per week (phone service always available)
Emergency relief
A range of organisations provide emergency relief in Brimbank, e.g. food parcels. The Department of Health and Human Services maintains an up-to-date list of service information, including emergency relief services in Brimbank:
Useful resources
The following websites provide further information and assistance:
- Council to Homeless Persons - the peak body representing organisations and individuals in Victoria with a commitment to ending homelessness.
- Western Homelessness Network - a network comprising of 25 specialist homelessness and family violence services in Melbourne’s west.
- Victorian Council Of Social Services - the peak body for the Victoria’s social and community sector.
- Tenants Victoria – a support organisation providing information, advice and legal representation for Victorians who rent their homes.
More information
For more information on what Council is doing to respond to homelessness in Brimbank, please contact our Social Policy Officer on (03) 9249 4000 or email info@brimbank.vic.gov.au