Melton City Council has recently been recognised for its innovative approach to addressing homelessness, picking up an award at the 2025 Victorian Homelessness Achievement Awards held in Ballarat last week.
The council’s Rough Sleeper Initiative was delivered in partnership with Melbourne City Mission and IPC Health and won the Excellence in Ending Homelessness – Adult Category at the awards hosted by the Council to Homeless Persons, Victoria.
The award celebrates and recognises programs, organisations, or partnerships that make an outstanding contribution to preventing or ending homelessness among adults in Victoria.
The winning initiative was originally established by council two years ago in response to a significant increase in the number of people sleeping rough across the City of Melton as well as a shortage of funded housing, support and outreach services in the area.
The program offers immediate respite, food, and referrals to healthcare, including mental and physical health support, and pathways to safe housing through public and community housing, transitional housing, and private rental options.
Mayor Cr Lara Carli praised the program for its ability to support those in need.
“What makes this program unique is that it brings support to people when and where they need it, rather than the other way around,” she said.
“It moves away from a ‘one-size-fits-all’ model, instead prioritising dignity, empowerment, and inclusion.”
The program has reportedly received 255 notifications of people sleeping rough to date, with most reports coming from community members and local businesses via council’s website.
After being notified, council alerts its partner agencies which then coordinate an on-site visit to assess an individual’s need and initiate engagement and support.
“Council is proud to be recognised for this vital work,” Cr Carli said.
“The City of Melton Rough Sleeper Initiative demonstrates what can be achieved when local government and community organisations collaborate to support our most vulnerable residents.”
The initiative was also recognised in the Vision Super Local Government Awards for its Local Heroes Award back in May 2025.
