The Victorian Government will provide $2.1 million over four years for a new Mornington Peninsula homelessness outreach team, as the number of people sleeping rough continues to rise.
Housing and Building Minister Nick Staikos and Hastings MP Paul Mercurio announced the funding as part of a $27.8 million statewide expansion of homelessness services.
The funding will support two dedicated assertive outreach workers across the Mornington Peninsula.
The workers will engage directly with people sleeping rough and help them access stable housing, emergency accommodation, healthcare and other support services.
The Victorian Government expects the service to begin later this year. It will operate alongside the existing homelessness entry point serving the Mornington Peninsula.
Rough Sleeping Rises By 32 Per Cent
Mornington Peninsula Mayor Stephen Batty confirmed to STPL News that 168 people were sleeping rough across the Mornington Peninsula at the end of May.
The figure represents a 32 per cent increase over six months.
The increase has placed further pressure on local homelessness, housing and community support services.
Cr Batty welcomed the funding but said governments needed to invest further to address the broader housing crisis.
“Today’s announcement is encouraging, but it must be the beginning rather than the end,” Cr Batty said.
The Mayor called for sustained investment in social and affordable housing, crisis accommodation and homelessness support services.
Mornington Peninsula Shire said the municipality had one of the highest rates of homelessness in regional Victoria.
However, the supply of affordable and social housing has not kept pace with demand.
“There is more work to do, but this is real progress. We thank the Victorian Government for coming to the table and working towards solutions for our community,” Cr Batty said.
Outreach Workers To Connect People With Support
Assertive outreach workers visit public spaces and engage directly with people sleeping rough.
Rather than waiting for people to approach an established service, the workers build ongoing contact with people experiencing homelessness.
They can help people navigate housing applications, access healthcare and connect with crisis accommodation and other local support providers.
However, councils and community organisations continue to warn that outreach services must operate alongside greater access to emergency accommodation and long-term housing.
Funding Part Of Statewide Expansion
The Mornington Peninsula homelessness outreach service forms part of a $27.8 million Victorian Government investment.
The funding will establish 10 new assertive outreach services across Victoria.
New services will also operate in Brimbank, Shepparton, Hume, Whitehorse, Latrobe, Darebin, Bairnsdale, Maribyrnong and Wodonga.
The expansion will bring the total number of assertive homelessness outreach services across Victoria to 18.
The wider investment also includes additional emergency accommodation and improved access to health and social care for people sleeping rough.
Mornington Peninsula Shire has listed increased social and affordable housing among its advocacy priorities ahead of the Victorian state election.
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