Homelessness and Housing Support

Responding to homelessness and rough sleeping in Maribyrnong

Homelessness is a significant issue across metropolitan Melbourne, with growing numbers of people presenting to homelessness services. 

In Victoria, it is not against the law to be without a home in a public place. Council asks the community to respond to people experiencing homelessness and rough sleeping with care, dignity, respect and a focus on safety.

Rough sleeping 

Rough sleeping is the most visible and severe form of homelessness. It refers to people who are sleeping in public or outdoor spaces because they do not have access to safe, secure, and appropriate housing.

In Victoria, around 5% of people experiencing homelessness are estimated to be sleeping rough on any given night. Many more people experience other forms of homelessness, including couch-surfing, living in insecure, inadequate or overcrowded accommodation, or in supported crisis accommodation.

People sleeping rough often choose to sleep in places that are as safe as possible, well lit, around people and close to services.

What should you do if you see a rough sleeping site?

If the situation is not urgent or unsafe, please report the rough sleeping site to Council to follow up. Please provide the location and description of the site, and any safety-related information.

You can provide this information by emailemail@maribyrnong.vic.gov.au or phone 9688 0200.

If you have any immediate safety concerns, please call Victoria Police.

Call 000 if you see someone who:

  • appears to be a danger to themselves or to others
  • has a child under 18 years of age with them
  • is damaging property or the environment.

How Council responds to rough sleeping notifications

  • Assertive outreach referrals
    Identified rough sleeping sites are routinely shared with local health and homelessness services to activate assertive outreach support.
  • Coordinated responses
    Council works in partnership with local services to coordinate supportive, service-led responses to rough sleeping. This approach recognises that people sleeping rough often experience multiple, overlapping challenges such as family and domestic violence, mental illness, substance use and trauma.
  • Risk management
    Where risks are identified - such as sleeping in doorways, near playgrounds, or other situations that impact individual or community safety -Council’s Local Laws team attends the site to seek compliance to ensure public spaces are safe and accessible for everyone.
  • Respect and privacy
    Council manages rough sleeping notifications with dignity and respect, and always in line with privacy requirements.

Homelessness support services 

There are several services active in Maribyrnong that support people experiencing homelessness. This can include direct homelessness and housing support services, or services to address co-existing issues like mental illness, substance use and family violence.

Services supporting people experiencing homelessness in Maribyrnong include:

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Unison

Visit the website

122 Victoria St, Seddon. 9698 2777 or 1800 825 955

  • Local access point for people who are at risk of or experiencing homelessness.
  • Unison can undertake an assessment of need, explore options for accessing emergency accommodation and longer-term housing, and offer advice, advocacy and referral.
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Cohealth

Visit the website

215 Nicholson Street, Footscray. 9448 5510

  • Homelessness Support Service and Assertive Outreach Team 
  • Alcohol and Drug Support Service
  • Doctors and other health supports.
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The Crisis Contact Centre

  

1800 627 727 or 9536 7777 

24/7 crisis service for people experiencing homelessness
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Saltwater Clinic

Visit the website

94 Nicholson Street Mall, Footscray. 1300 657 259

Community mental health clinic
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Odyssey House

Visit the website

202 Nicholson Street, Footscray. 1800 700 514

  • Alcohol and other drug treatment service
  • Intake and assessment.
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The Orange Door

Visit the website

265 Barkly Street, Footscray. 1800 271 045

Family violence service
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Safe Steps

Visit the website

1800 015 188

Immediate support for anyone experiencing family and domestic violence.
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