Frankston Zero release recommendations to address homelessness

Published on 24 May 2023

Specialist homelessness agencies, government bodies, and industry experts have joined forces to tackle the impact of the housing crisis in Frankston City through a series of round tables hosted by Frankston Zero.

The round tables were held in response to the Frankston City Housing Forum, which aimed to discuss the Frankston Zero initiative and eradicate rough sleeping in Frankston City.

Following these roundtables, Frankston Zero today released a report containing several recommendations for the future of housing and homelessness in Frankston City.

Frankston Zero Chair Jackie Galloway today commented on the findings of the report: “We can see that private rental housing in Frankston City is increasingly unaffordable for all household types.

“There is also a critical shortfall in social housing, especially for singles, young people, and for permanent supportive housing. With these factors in mind, it’s easy to see how homelessness in Frankston has risen by nearly 45 per cent since 2016.”

Member agencies of Frankston Zero have been working to address homelessness for many years and are now working collectively and systematically to improve outcomes for rough sleepers and people experiencing homelessness more broadly. Frankston Zero was initiated by the Frankston City Strategic Housing and Homelessness Alliance in response to increasing rough sleeping.

Following the roundtables, Frankston Zero is now calling on the Federal Government to pass Future Fund legislation as the start of the pipeline of future housing. The group is also advocating for the State and Federal Government to increase social housing, particularly for singles, permanent supportive housing, and youth foyers.

Additionally, there is a proposal to strengthen the connection between health and housing by preserving the effective multidisciplinary housing and support approaches that proved successful during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ms Galloway said: “We would like to see the integration of the Homeless to a Home program with the Melbourne Street to Home program and Supportive Housing responses, under the Homelessness Rough Sleeping Action Plan. This would ensure that all Victorians with complex support needs have access to these critical responses and capabilities, not just those in the inner city.”

On the topic of the housing crisis, Frankston City Councillor and Chair of Council’s Housing Advisory Committee, Cr Sue Baker, said: “In Frankston City and across Australia, the availability of suitable and affordable housing is not keeping pace with the increasing demand.

“Rapidly rising housing costs and inadequate supplies of social and affordable housing mean that many households are living in housing stress, increasing their risk of homelessness,” Cr Baker said.

Frankston Zero was established with the support of Launch Housing, Melbourne’s largest Specialist Homelessness Organisation passionately committed to ending homelessness by providing immediate and practical solutions for those who are, or at risk of becoming homeless. 

Launch Housing Manager Functional Zero, George Hatvani, said street homelessness is the most visible and damaging form of homelessness. 

“The purpose of Frankston Zero is to have more people exiting homelessness into housing than there are people who are homeless in the area. We’re working to ensure homelessness is rare, brief, and non-recurring,” Mr Hatvani explained.

Frankston City Mayor Nathan Conroy said as someone who grew up in social and affordable housing, he knows firsthand the critical importance of a secure roof over your head.

“Frankston City Council and I take this issue very seriously, and we won’t stop assessing, advocating and adapting until we achieve our target of Zero Homelessness in Frankston City.

“Through initiatives like Frankston Zero and through these round table discussions and subsequent advocacy, we can, and will, make a difference,” Mayor Conroy said.

For more information and to download the full report, visit https://www.melbournezero.org.au/frankston_zero.