Council boosts support for homeless and vulnerable
Published on 12 September 2024
Frankston City Council is committing to two initiatives providing support for vulnerable residents at risk of, or experiencing, homelessness and other challenges such as family violence and poor mental health.
Councillors recently reaffirmed funding a free training program for volunteers working with community groups, charities and not-for-profit organisations providing homelessness support and emergency relief.
In 2024, Council supported 73 volunteers from 14 different charitable groups to take part in five workshops, covering a range of topics aimed at building skills in conflict resolution, including identifying conflict, improving verbal and non-verbal communication, effective techniques for intervention and strengthening trust. The program also provided volunteers with the opportunity to network and build connections.
Given the ongoing need for volunteers to support charitable groups providing emergency relief, the free training has been funded to continue throughout the 2024-2025 financial year.
Council is also facilitating a university placement program that will base two student social workers at Frankston Library. The students will provide free support to help library visitors and families deal with challenging events, such as legal, financial, health and wellbeing.
The students will be supervised by experienced accredited social workers onsite and able to connect library visitors to services and referral pathways and complete complex forms.
Frankston City Libraries continue to provide a safe and welcoming environment for all community members, with a range of free and accessible services that support wellbeing, social connection and quality of life.
Mayor Nathan Conroy noted that while the Victorian and Federal Governments have key roles to play, Frankston City Council is determined to make a difference through these and other initiatives.
“We know there are a range of issues contributing to homelessness including social, economic and housing market factors along with poverty, lack of access to affordable housing, family violence, unemployment, mental health and trauma. Programs such as these are about holistically looking at what can help people,” he said.
“These projects align with, and complement, Council’s other activities to address homelessness within Frankston City, including participating in the Frankston Zero initiative to provide outreach for rough sleepers and coordinate the delivery services to support them into long-term secure housing.”
“We also actively help to monitor the extent of homelessness in Frankston City and identify service system improvements, as well as advocate via our Housing Advisory Committee to the State and Federal Governments on housing needs,” he said.
Mayor Conroy said Council was also developing an Affordable Housing Policy and providing financial assistance to the Frankston Winter Shelter, Community Support Frankston, and Emergency Relief Fund to build support capacity throughout Frankston City.