New report highlights homelessness in Geelong

A GIVE Where you Live Foundation and Deakin University HOME Research Centre report has detailed the insights, challenges and opportunities within the region’s homelessness service system.

The Home Truths: Local Insights into Homelessness report explores how providers in the Geelong region can better support people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

Five home truths emerged from the research, highlighting the priority areas for immediate action and long-term systemic improvement across the region.

The critical shortage of available housing and accommodation options was one of the most pressing issues, with limited access to private rentals and a severe undersupply of social housing driving increased homelessness rates.

Homelessness within Greater Geelong has more than doubled in the five years to mid-2021, surging by 51.5 per cent in the 2023-2024 financial year, and more than 4800 people sought support for homelessness in the region.

City of Greater Geelong mayor Stretch Kontelj said the City was committed to supporting and working with the homeless sector.

“It’s unacceptable that on any given night, more than 1500 people have nowhere to go in Greater Geelong,” he said.

“This important research will narrow the focus for our re-established Greater Geelong Homelessness Working Group and shed light on how local service providers can best meet the needs of local people facing homelessness.”

Report participants suggested a number of ways to mitigate the shortage, focusing on reform, rezoning, innovation and collaborations to maintain and expand social housing, enable more equitable access to the private rental market, and develop emergency shelter models.

The importance of collaboration and information sharing was also highlighted in the report, with participants emphasising the need for stronger coordination between local service providers.

Also making up the five home truths was funding and resources, the need for more flexible service delivery options and models, and prevention and early intervention.

Give Where You Live Foundation chief executive officer Zac Lewis said the research shone a light on the issues people face, the services working to support them and the solutions and actions needed for long-term change.

“As part of our commitment to creating a fairer Geelong community, the foundation regularly supports and undertakes research to better understand the most pressing needs in our region and to help inform services and supports,” he said.

“This report provides crucial insights for the local sector that can help guide how we collectively respond to homelessness in Geelong, because real change starts with better understanding.”

The report was jointly funded by the Anthony Costa Foundation, City of Greater Geelong, Geelong Community Foundation, Geelong Connected Communities and Give Where You Live Foundation.

To view the full report, head to givewhereyoulive.com.au.