StreetCount finds almost 400 rough sleepers in five inner-city municipalities

COUNCILS have called for more social housing as new figures show about 400 people sleep rough on inner-city streets every night.

COUNCILS have called for more social housing as new figures show about 400 people sleep rough on inner-city streets every night.

The latest StreetCount was done on June 19 but this time it included more municipalities than just the City of Melbourne.

Melbourne City had 279 rough sleepers, up from the 247 counted in 2016. However, when comparing the same area studied two years ago, the latest count found only 210 people in Melbourne.

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The Melbourne count included about 160 people sheltering in the Salvation Army’s Hamodava Cafe in Bourke St.

Salvos street teams leader Brendan Nottle said attendance numbers had been steadily rising at the cafe.

Councils have called for more social housing as new figures show about 400 people sleep rough on inner-city streets every night. Picture: Nicole Garmston

“It’s an indication that people don’t have other options,” he said. “They go there because they see it as a safe space, somewhere warm, out of the cold.”

The facility, which is funded by Melbourne City council, provides food, blankets and health and social services.

StreetCount figures for other councils were Port Phillip (65), Yarra (29), Maribyrnong (16) and Stonnington (3).

There was a total of 392 rough sleepers counted across all areas, with 78 per cent male and more than half aged 26-40.

Deputy Lord Mayor Arron Wood said the generally lower figures for Melbourne City were encouraging as there had been a 74 per cent rise in rough sleepers between 2014 and 2016.

Salvos street teams leader Brendan Nottle says attendance numbers have been steadily rising at the Salvation Army’s Hamodava Cafe. Picture: Hamish Blair

“The CBD is a bit of an attractor for those sleeping rough,” he said. “We do have the services here that can help people on the pathway out of homelessness.”

Cr Wood defended the council’s decision last year to ditch proposed bylaws that would have cracked down on street camps and instead introduce a “protocol” involving better co-operation between police, council officers and welfare agencies.

“The protocol is striking the right balance between helping people who need help and also making sure that people feel safe and have an enjoyable experience when they move around the city,” he said.

Mayors from the other councils welcomed the StreetCount data and called for the urgent provision of affordable and temporary accommodation for rough sleepers.

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