General News
20 September, 2026
Brophy welcomes ‘rough sleeping’ investment
AS demand for services to assist the homeless continues to rise, Brophy has welcomed the state government’s $24.8 million investment to strengthen the state’s response to rough sleeping.
The investment comes alongside a new six-point plan aimed at addressing homelessness across the state.
A recent Council to Homeless Persons’ Statewide Community Insights Report highlights growing homelessness pressures across the state.
More than 105,000 Victorians sought support from specialist homelessness services like Brophy in 2024–25, with women accounting for 59 per cent of presentations and children and young people under 25 making up 36 per cent.
The report also highlights a 42 per cent increase in working people seeking homelessness support between 2020 and 2025, while family violence remains the leading driver of homelessness in Victoria.
Local demand remains strong for Brophy, with those statewide figures reflecting challenges being experienced across south west Victoria.
During 2025–26, 301 young people and families accessed Brophy’s Youth Entry Points in Warrnambool, Portland and Hamilton, up from 293 the previous year.
Of those presentations, 60 per cent were female and 60 per cent were young people aged 20–24, while First Nations young people were significantly overrepresented at 18 per cent.
Another 17 per cent accessed more than one period of support, reflecting experiences of recurring homelessness, while five per cent reported sleeping rough or in unconventional dwellings in the month before seeking help.
“Family violence, financial hardship, family and relationship breakdown, unsuitable housing and housing affordability stress were among the leading reasons for seeking support,” a Brophy spokesperson said.
“These figures reinforce that homelessness does not always mean sleeping on the street.
“It can include couch surfing, temporary accommodation, living somewhere unsafe or unsuitable, or simply being unable to sustain the cost of housing.”
Brophy supports adults experiencing homelessness through its Rough Sleeping Program, which provides assertive outreach in Warrnambool and connects people with housing pathways and other supports.
The program takes support into the community and works alongside health and mental health workers, helping reduce barriers for people who may find it difficult to engage with traditional services.
A multidisciplinary approach also brings together local services to coordinate support around adults who are experiencing homelessness.
Brophy’s Housing Support and Linkages team also delivers Tenancy Plus (a support and advocacy program that helps public and community housing renters establish, strengthen, and maintain their tenancies).
Other services offered by Brophy includes SRS OAP (free support and advocacy to residents and proprietors of Supported Residential Services); Community Reconnections (supporting people aged 25 and over who are receiving a full Centrelink benefit and are experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity); and no interest loan schemes.
According to Brophy staff, the state government’s investment matters locally because its focus on outreach, coordination and Housing First reflects what Brophy sees through its local work.
“Homelessness rarely exists in isolation,” a spokesperson said.
“Effective responses require prevention, early intervention, safe and affordable housing, and services working together around the needs of each person.
“The statewide figures show the scale of the challenge, while Brophy’s local support makes clear it is affecting people and families across south-west Victoria right now. Everyone deserves a safe and secure place to call home. Housing is a human right.”
