With homelessness in Melbourne’s west and Brimbank continuing to rise at an alarming rate, Council has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting our community on this issue and advocating for those experiencing homelessness, including rough sleeping, to receive the assistance they need.
At the August Council Meeting, Brimbank Council endorsed a Homelessness Statement of Commitment that clearly outlines its resolve to continue collaborating with the community, partner organisations and government entities to eliminate homelessness.
Additionally, Council noted the Advocacy Statement of Homelessness that supports continued advocacy for State and Federal Governments to address service gaps and respond to community needs related to homelessness and rough sleeping. This is in line with Council’s Advocacy Priorities 2025-2027, where Homelessness and Housing is ranked as a Gold Priority.
Brimbank Mayor Cr Thuy Dang said Brimbank is facing a significant challenge, with some of the highest rates of homelessness and people sleeping rough in Melbourne’s west. We understand the community’s concerns and recognise the urgent need for action to tackle this growing crisis.
“Council wants to find long-term solutions to end homelessness and improve the health and wellbeing of vulnerable people in our community,” Mayor Dang said.
“We are dedicated to collaborating with our community, partners, and various levels of government to effectively address homelessness.
“Local councils play an essential role in linking people to the support services they require, drawn from both community organisations and government agencies. However, it’s important to note that Local Government does not have a formal role in the homelessness service system; this responsibility lies with the State and Federal Governments,” Mayor Dang said.
Council is urging the State and Federal Governments to address the current gaps in local service by:
- Funding a dedicated homelessness service for Brimbank to deliver consistent, coordinated, and assertive outreach to people experiencing rough sleeping.
- Funding a local coordination model to bring together housing, health, mental health and AOD responses to improve localised homelessness responses.
- Funding specialist alcohol and other drug (AOD) and mental health outreach services to respond to increasing complexity and unmet need in the region.
“We will persist in our call for immediate action on homelessness and strive to improve community health. The State and Federal Governments, which provide funding for homelessness, housing, and health services, must work to bridge the critical service gaps that are essential for connecting vulnerable individuals with the housing, healthcare, and support they need,” said the Mayor.
For more information
Visit www.brimbank.vic.gov.au/living-here/our-wellbeing-and-safety/homelessness
