Melbourne homeless crisis: Suburban councils accuse city of shifting problem

COUNCILS have accused the City of Melbourne of trying to shift its homelessness problem into the suburbs.

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COUNCILS have accused the City of Melbourne of trying to shift its homelessness problem into the suburbs.

Port Phillip council called on Melbourne council to scrap plans to toughen up by-laws to combat the city’s rough-sleeping problem, saying it would only displace the problem to outlying suburbs.

Monash Council, 25km from the CBD, is also seeking a meeting with Lord Mayor Robert Doyle after a spike in its homelessness numbers.

Homeless people in St Kilda said they had noticed an increase in rough sleepers since the City of Melbourne launched its crackdown.

Marcus Hemi, and his wife, Candy, who were begging in Ackland St, said homeless people were being driven away from the city.

“I have noticed there have been more people coming here in recent weeks,” Mr Hemi said.

Homeless people Cindy and Marcus Hemi in St Kilda. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Marcus Hemi in St Kilda. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Belongings left in a doorway. Picture: Valeriu Campan

A homeless person in Melbourne’s suburbs. Picture: Valeriu Campan

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Port Phillip council deputy mayor Katherine Copsey called on the City of Melbourne to work toward solving and not just shifting, the complex issue of homelessness.

“Our council is committed to supporting, as far as practicable, those affected by the City of Melbourne’s proposed local law changes; the vulnerable who are currently experiencing homelessness,” she said.

A woman stops in St Kilda to assist Marcus Hemi. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Monash mayor Rebecca Paterson wants a meeting with Cr Doyle to discuss the unintended effects of the changes.

“We are very concerned that pushing people out of the centre of Melbourne is pushing people away from the support services that are there to help them,” Cr Paterson said.

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Cr Doyle said he was “disappointed” by the reaction.

“It looks as though these municipalities are saying it’s perfectly acceptable for people to sleep rough in the City of Melbourne but it’s certainly not acceptable for them to sleep rough in the ­municipality where they have come from,” Cr Doyle said.