Homelessness Action Now: Everyone deserves a safe place to call home

30 Jul 2026

A safe, secure home is the foundation for a healthy and fulfilling life. It provides stability, connection and the opportunity to work, study and participate in the community. 

Yet for many people, a place to call home is becoming increasingly out of reach. 

Homelessness can affect anyone. A relationship breakdown, family violence, illness, job loss or rising living costs can quickly push people into housing insecurity. Many of us are only a few unexpected life events away from facing the same situation. 

During Homelessness Week (3–9 August), we join communities across Australia to recognise the challenges people experiencing homelessness face and to call for Homelessness Action Now. 

Homelessness in Merri-bek

More than 700 people in Merri-bek are experiencing homelessness (2021 ABS Census), and demand for support continues to grow. 

People seeking social housing often wait months or even years before receiving an offer. During this time, many experience declining physical and mental health, disrupted employment and education, and increasing financial hardship. 

Homelessness services are also under significant pressure. Every day across Victoria, more than 350 people seeking homelessness support are turned away because services simply don't have the capacity to help everyone who needs it.

At the same time, social housing is becoming harder to find. Victoria has the lowest proportion of social housing in Australia, and Merri-bek sits below the Victorian average, with just 2.9% of homes being social housing. 

Working towards lasting solutions 

Homelessness is not inevitable. With enough social and affordable housing, timely support and strong community partnerships, we can prevent more people from becoming homeless and help those experiencing homelessness regain stability sooner. 

Merri-bek City Council believes everyone has the right to safe, secure and affordable housing. We continue to advocate to the Victorian and Australian Governments for increased investment in emergency accommodation and social housing, helping create the housing safety net our community needs. 

We also support people experiencing homelessness locally by: 

  • funding the Merri-bek Assertive Community Outreach program, which provides support to people sleeping rough
  • working to remove barriers that prevent people from accessing Council services
  • partnering with local organisations that provide essential support to our community.

Everyone has a role to play 

Homelessness is a complex issue, but it is one we can solve together. By investing in social and affordable housing, supporting frontline services and treating everyone with dignity and respect, we can build a community where everyone has a safe place to call home. 

What can you do? 

Notify us of someone sleeping rough in Merri-bek.  

Donate or volunteer at our local organisations that support people experiencing homelessness:  

Write to your local MP about your concerns:  
Talk to your MP - Council to Homeless Persons website
 
Sign Everybody’s Home petition to the Federal Government asking for more investment in social housing:
Everybody's Home