The role of the Homelessness Advisory Committee is to provide strategic advice on policy and practice issues to City of Melbourne. This advice assists City of Melbourne in continuing to implement homelessness responses in the city. This includes providing:

• Advice on issues relevant to the ongoing implementation of City of Melbourne’s homelessness response and any strategies or plans that might be developed through the life of the Committee.
• Comment and feedback on other City of Melbourne policies, strategies and initiatives relevant to homelessness.
• Community views on homelessness issues to ensure resolutions are balanced.
• Recommendations on methods and techniques to better inform and engage the community on homelessness issues.

Members of the committee will also participate in consultations and discussions on homelessness and related issues across City of Melbourne’s functions and services.

The most recent figures on homelessness in Australia are from the ABS census, held on 10 August 2021. 

Homelessness has skyrocketed in Australia over the past 15 years, increasing by 36.5 per cent from 2006 to 2021. On Census night in 2021, an estimated 122,494 people across Australia were experiencing homelessness.

This number is up 5.2 per cent from Census night in 2016, when 116,427 people had no home, and 2011 when 105,237 people were experiencing homelessness. In 2006, the Census recorded that 89,728 people had no home.  

Of those experiencing homelessness in Australia in 2021: 

• Nearly a quarter (23 per cent) were people aged 12 to 24 years (28,204 people).
• Twenty per cent of people experiencing homelessness (24,930) were Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, up 6.4 per cent from 23,437 in 2016 .
• 55.9 per cent were men, and 44.1 per cent were women.
• Women accounted for 81.7 per cent of the 6,067 increase of people experiencing homelessness in 2021.

We’re looking for a diverse group of people with energy, passion and ideas from a broad range of organisations and individuals including those with specialist skills, experience and knowledge in homelessness and related issues.

Council will make appointments based on merit, skill, expertise and leadership qualities. The Committee will bring specialist experience and skills, relevant network connections, innovative thinking, enthusiasm and passion for ending homelessness in Melbourne.

The committee will encompass a cross section of the community. It will be sought from, but not limited to:

• People who can demonstrate the values of human rights, social inclusion, empowering people and building on people’s strengths and knowledge.
• People with a direct experience of homelessness, or engagement with people experiencing homelessness.
• Organisations involved in homelessness service delivery, housing, social infrastructure and systemic issues across the homelessness, health and welfare sectors.
• Individuals that can demonstrate leadership, collaboration, and coordination across service sectors.
• People who bring an understanding of City of Melbourne’s community and neighbourhood relationships.
• People who have experience in promoting and advocating the views and needs of people living with intellectual or physical disabilities and/or mental health challenges.
• People who can demonstrate an understanding of the impacts of the urban environment and public space on people experiencing homelessness.
• Organisations and individuals with experience in education, skills development and employment training as pathways out of homelessness.
• Organisations from government, business, industry and commercial sectors that can integrate their experience and role to support people experiencing homelessness.

Members of the committee will be appointed for a three-year term commencing from the first meeting. Meetings will take place at a minimum four times per year and will generally be limited to two hours.

People who are currently or have experienced homelessness are encouraged to apply. Homes Melbourne will provide direct support to facilitate both the application process as well as support for participation in meetings.

Representatives from service sector organisations and community members who are committed to providing information and advice to help create pathways out of homelessness are also encouraged to apply.

We know that homelessness directly impacts the following groups in Melbourne and are also seeking representatives from:

• Melbourne-based people with a current or previous lived experience of homelessness.
• People that identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander (or both).
• Young people (18 to 25).
• Health or homelessness sector representatives from the not-for-profit or government sector, based in the municipality.

The duties of the Advisory Committee members are to:

• Attend and participate in a compulsory induction workshop, if required, on the Advisory Committee
• Understand the role and responsibility of members and City of Melbourne
• Abide by City of Melbourne’s Committee Code of Conduct and other related policies and protocols
• Attend and participate in meetings of the Advisory Committee (including planning sessions and relevant training)
• Work cooperatively with other members in achieving the aims of the Advisory Committee
• Provide informed and considered advice, ideas and recommendations to City of Melbourne on items
• Action and follow up tasks established by the Advisory Committee and resolved by City of Melbourne
• Attend and participate in working groups (as required) to explore identified issues and present recommendation/s for endorsement at the Homelessness Advisory Committee
• Report back to existing networks within the communities about any decisions relating to the Advisory Committee (as required), and
• Use existing networks to remain informed regarding the views and interests of the community they represent.

Once appointed, members will be eligible for reimbursement of reasonable expenses associated with participation. Reimbursement may include transport, child care or interpreting services. Check with Homes Melbourne to discuss your needs and our prior approval requirements.

Appointed members who are holders of a concession card or health care card from Centrelink are eligible for a $200 sitting payment for each meeting they participate in.