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Homelessness policy

Melbourne has long been a city of opportunity and progress, yet the challenge of homelessness continues to grow, and today, Lord Mayoral candidate Jamal Hakim outlined a multi-faceted plan that will put Melbourne at the forefront of addressing homelessness through a combination of immediate measures and long-term solutions.  

The three-pillar approach includes temporary car park shelters, a housing-first pilot, and the decentralisation of homeless hotspots, creating safer, more supportive environments for all.  

Launching the initiative, Hakim said, Melbourne needs innovative solutions that address both the symptoms and root causes of homelessness. “This plan combines immediate relief with a long-term vision to break the cycle of homelessness and ensure that every Melburnian has access to safe, secure housing.” 

Pillar 1: Housing First Pilot  

Central to the policy is the implementation of a housing-first pilot program, an approach proven to deliver long-term solutions to homelessness. Housing-first models, which prioritise permanent housing as a first step, have an 80-90% success rate in keeping people off the streets when integrated with health and social care services.  

This pillar focuses on scaling affordable housing through partnerships with government and private sectors, and ensuring that those with disabilities, who make up 70% of Melbourne’s homeless population, receive targeted support. 

According to Hakim, the housing-first pilot would be a catalyst for providing sustained stability. “This isn’t just about housing; it’s about health, dignity, and a future for the most vulnerable in our city.” 

Pillar 2: Safe Overnight Car Parks 

Building on Queensland’s successful ‘Beddown’ initiative, Team Hakim will pilot temporary safe sleeping spaces in underutilised council-owned and commercial car parks. These spaces will offer rough sleepers a safe, dignified place to rest while they await access to permanent housing. The model has been successful in Brisbane, offering not just shelter, but meals, healthcare, and other critical services. The program will be tightly integrated with Melbourne’s broader homelessness strategy, ensuring that people are quickly transitioned into housing-first programs. 

Hakim said, “Even though temporary car park shelters aren’t the solution in and of themselves, they are a vital lifeline, a bridge to permanent solutions.”  

Pillar 3: De-concentrating Homeless Hotspots 

One of the biggest challenges in managing homelessness in Melbourne is the concentration of rough sleepers in central areas like Spring Street and Flinders Street. These high-density areas are often entrenched in organised crime, putting vulnerable individuals at greater risk. Team Hakim’s plan calls for the redesign of these areas, including removing the Spring Street tram terminus and extending the line, to decentralise services and reduce crime. 

According to Hakim, by working with organisations like the Salvation Army, services will be distributed more evenly across the city, helping to prevent crime and provide safer spaces for people experiencing homelessness. “The plan will ensure our city’s most vulnerable are not isolated in crime-ridden areas but are instead given access to services in safer, more distributed locations.” 

The economic and social costs of homelessness are staggering, with increased pressure on public services, law enforcement, and healthcare systems. By implementing this multi-pillar plan, Melbourne won’t only create safer and more equitable communities but generate significant long-term cost savings. Research has shown that housing-first solutions reduce reliance on emergency services and help lower crime rates associated with homelessness. 

“It isn’t just about doing what’s right,” Hakim said, “It’s about doing what makes sense for the long-term health and safety of our city.” 

Furthermore, the plan includes the formation of strategic partnerships with private and public entities, including property developers, non-profits, and healthcare providers, to create an all-encompassing approach to solving homelessness. From overnight shelter to permanent housing, each step of the plan involves wrap-around services such as mental health support, job placement, and rehabilitation programs, creating pathways to independence for those in need. 

Hakim said, “Melbourne can’t afford to wait for solutions to emerge. Immediate action is essential, and the combination of car park shelters and hotspot decentralisation will provide the necessary stopgap measures while long-term housing-first solutions are scaled up – ensuring both immediate relief and permanent housing solutions are prioritised simultaneously, reducing homelessness as quickly and effectively as possible. 

Team Hakim’s policy aims to break the cycle of homelessness in Melbourne. Via targeted housing, support services, and reconfiguring public spaces, Melbourne won’t only address the immediate needs of the homeless, but stop it recurring. “No one in Melbourne should ever sleep rough again. We are committed to making the vision a reality,” Hakim said.