Homeless inquiry to look at other sources of temporary housing

Mums and their kids are sleeping in cars at footy grounds as Victoria’s homeless crisis increases, with numbers spiking in Melbourne’s outer suburbs. But this radical plan could put a roof over their heads.

Churches and old schools could be turned over to house Melbourne’s homeless in a dramatic bid to tackle the crisis.

Growing numbers of homeless in outer suburbs and the bush are causing particular concern.

It has triggered a statewide inquiry.

Eastern Metropolitan MP Rod Barton, who has established the parliamentary probe, said opening churches and former school sites to those in need should be considered.

A faith group in Melbourne’s east had tried to let homeless sleep inside its church in winter only for the local council to stop the idea, he said.

Another had looked to convert a section of a closed school while the future of the site was worked out.

Rough sleepers are the focus of a new statewide inquiry. Picture: Mark Stewart

“We should look at everything — everything should be on the table,’’ Mr Barton said.

“There are lots of buildings that we could open up to get people out of the weather.

“We’ve got mums and their kids sleeping cars at footy grounds because they don’t know where to go. That’s just outrageous.

“That is the first step. We also have to address why this happening.”

The parliamentary inquiry — to report within a year — will examine the extent of homelessness and immediate ways to help those in need.

The causes of people finding themselves on the streets will also be examined.

Mr Barton said homelessness was a huge issue in the suburbs.

In his electorate spanning Melbourne's’ east alone 14,000 people last year sought help.

“It’s one of these issues that is much, much larger than people realise,’’ Mr Barton said.

“The public see the homelessness around the city and say: ‘They should just clean that up’.

“But it’s not as simple as that. “That’s nowhere near the numbers that is happening out in the suburbs.”

“We also need to make sure housing options are appropriate. Emergency housing for families or women fleeing domestic violence is a very different proposition to emergency housing for the long-term homeless, or those with drug or mental health issues.

“This inquiry will investigate the full spectrum of emergency and social housing needs across the inner city and suburbs.”

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Salvation Army Major Brendan Nottle, whose organisation houses about 180 people a night at its Bourke St centre alone, said turning over buildings to help the homeless was worth considering.

Major Brendan Nottle at the Salvation Army's Bourke St welfare hub. Picture: Jason Edwards

“I think the really important thing is that it’s well supervised,’’ Major Nottle said.

“It’s not just about providing a roof over people’s heads it’s about making sure it’s a very safe environment and it’s about making sure we create pathways for people out of homelessness.

“It is a good idea but we’ve got to make sure we have those elements — you don’t want to put people somewhere that’s unsafe.”

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