Petition Declare a state of emergency for people experiencing homelessness

The petition of certain citizens of the State of Victoria draws to the attention of the Legislative Council that homelessness in our state is growing rapidly, with shelters overflowing and trusted services recommending vulnerable people sleep at bridges or car parks.

The 2021 census revealed a 24 per cent increase in homelessness in Victoria, with over 30,000 Victorians without a home, a figure that will continue to rise amid the cost of living and housing crises. We are failing as a community by allowing this suffering to persist. Whether it is sleeping on a friend’s couch, shop doorway or turning a car into a makeshift bed, the constant insecurity is damaging to physical and mental well-being. Delaying action only increases the burden on our health and legal systems. The current government has engaged support services but these efforts are far from sufficient to address this crisis. Under disaster management principles, we have the capacity to engage emergency shelters and adopt a shelter first approach.

The petitioners therefore request that the Legislative Council call on the Government to declare a state of emergency for people experiencing homelessness and deploy all appropriate measures to provide shelter and support.