Homelessness

Banyule's Ready for advicacy on homelessness

What we are seeking

We are asking for Victorian Government investment to provide ongoing funding for our assertive outreach pilot service to better support people experiencing homelessness in Banyule.

What it will deliver

Investment in the right kind of support helps break the cycle of homelessness and ensures Banyule’s most vulnerable people can access the services they need most.

What you can do

You can contact a member of Parliament to raise concern and ask for action on this issue.

Lower House

Upper House

Overview

The number of people in Banyule who are experiencing homelessness or living in insecure housing has been growing at a concerning rate.

Since 2020, we have collected data on the number of reports we receive about people sleeping in public. In the last few years, the number of reports has increased significantly:

  • 5% increase between 2020-2021
  • 11% increase between 2021-2022
  • 60% increase between 2022-2023
  • 137% increase between 2023-2024

With the rising cost of living, the housing crisis has continued to worsen.

  • By 2025, the number of private rentals in Victoria affordable for people on income support was less than 1% (around 133 properties).
  • In 2024, 63% of owner-occupier households were experiencing mortgage stress, and about 45% of renters were experiencing rental stress, where housing expenses are greater than 30% of household income.

Unmet housing need

  • People are experiencing homelessness in Victoria, with an unmet housing need of 145,600 dwellings, and more than 65,000 people are on the public housing waiting list.
  • We approved 268 new social and affordable housing dwellings by the end of 2025, but we recognise the incoming supply will not meet demand.
  • The nearest intake service for housing and homelessness support services is located in Preston, City of Darebin.
  • At a minimum, we need funding for capacity at the Darebin service to be increased and operating hours extended.
  • We also seek funding for a feasibility study into a hostel for homeless youth to support the growing cohort of young people experiencing homelessness.
  • In response to the significant rise in homelessness, we are trialing a 12-month pilot of an assertive outreach program, delivered in partnership with Merri Outreach Support Service (MOSS).
  • The program commenced in October 2025 and is designed to proactively identify, engage and support people sleeping rough in Banyule.

We need ongoing funding to keep this essential outreach service operating beyond the pilot.

Why now?
We are experiencing a housing crisis that needs to be addressed. Cost-of-living pressures have increased the number of people experiencing homelessness. There are few social housing opportunities available, and our growing population faces rising rents, leaving few private housing options for people on low incomes.

Location

All of Banyule

Priority at a glance

Officer

Advocacy Team
9490 4222
advocacy@banyule.vic.gov.au
Priority: Not enough homes or support for those most in need.

Electorate: All of Banyule

Key focus

Accessibility, health and wellbeing, safety

Recent updates

  • We are working with partner councils in the Northern Councils Alliance on regional approaches to homelessness.
  • Made a submission for the Federal Government’s Housing Support Fund to develop a Masterplan for the Bell Street Mall area, focussing on higher density housing in the neighbourhood activity centre.
  • Continued advocating to the State for affordable housing to be included as part of the Greensborough Transport Interchange development.
  • Advocated to the State Government to consider affordable housing when deciding redevelopment of the Watsonia Station site as part of the construction of North East Link.
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