Launch Housing is co-chairing a new coalition of more than 70 organisations, urging the Victorian Government to back a proven framework to end rough sleeping across the state within the next decade. The Victorian Alliance to End Homelessness has highlighted the significant cost-savings to government, calling for funding to support the statewide rollout of Advance to Zero, an evidence-based approach already delivering results in several Victorian communities.
An independent economic evaluation shows that expanding Advance to Zero to every local council could save the Victorian Government $88 million by 2035 through avoided costs across medical care, mental health, justice and homelessness services. Increasing the supply of housing – enabling more people sleeping rough to move into permanent homes – would deliver even greater long-term savings.
Advance to Zero addresses gaps in the current system by creating a coordinated, person-centred response. The model brings together homelessness services, councils, healthcare providers, government agencies and community organisations. Outreach workers engage directly with people sleeping rough to build a By-Name List – a real-time record that allows services to match people with the right support and housing. The approach is especially effective for people experiencing chronic or long-term homelessness, who often face the greatest barriers to accessing help.
The data also provides the only statewide oversight of how many people are sleeping rough in Victoria, and their support needs. Without this information, planning and responding effectively becomes far more difficult for both services and government.
Currently, 11 local government areas across Victoria are using the framework, and many are seeing measurable progress. Several communities are sustaining functional zero for priority groups, including First Nations people in the City of Dandenong, Stonnington and, Merri-bek and people aged over 55 in Stonnington.
“These outcomes show that targeted place-based efforts can deliver real impact even in a constrained housing environment. There is no question that this should become the standard way to end rough sleeping homelessness in Victoria,” says George Hatvani, Head of Systems Change at Launch Housing.
Since 2019, much of this work has been funded by philanthropy. Hatvani says the results already achieved demonstrate what is possible.
“The work we have done so far is proof that homelessness is preventable, and it’s solvable. A relatively small investment from the government will lead to significant personal, social and financial benefits for everyone in Victoria,” says Hatvani.
“We know that with the right investment and political will, community members who are among our most vulnerable can find safe and stable permanent housing and Victoria could see an end to rough sleeping,” says Hatvani.
The Alliance is calling on the State Government to help scale this proven model statewide and make ending rough sleeping by 2035 a reality.
Information about the Alliance and full list of members here: https://www.launchhousing.org.au/about-us/victorian-zero/
