Exits from rough sleeping into housing exceed the number of new people sleeping rough
This measure tracks whether more people are exiting rough sleeping into housing than entering it across the local government areas where we coordinate Advance to Zero initiatives. It reflects our progress in reducing rough sleeping through place-based service coordination and support, and signals whether the system is shifting toward ending rough sleeping — not just managing it.
Summary
Last year, 138 people sleeping rough secured housing. Working with local councils and community partners, our outreach teams added 549 people to By-Name Lists, strengthening pathways to permanent housing.
Compared to last year, we are housing more people sleeping rough
Compared to last year, we are housing more people sleeping rough and, for some priority cohorts, we are achieving functional zero. However, the overall numbers are rising, reflecting both increased demand for support and Launch Housing’s expanded footprint across more communities.
Rising cost of living 1 and a deepening housing crisis are pushing more people into homelessness, while affordable housing options remain limited. At the same time, we are now working in more areas with high housing stress, including Dandenong, Frankston and the Morning Peninsula. This expanded footprint means we are identifying and supporting more people experiencing homelessness.
As Table 1 shows, by the end of 2024–25, 612 people remained active on the lists, including those in temporary or respite accommodation. A major contributor to these increasing numbers was the addition of the Mornington Peninsula Shire, where more than 150 people were identified as experiencing homelessness, including significant rough sleeping.
Progress has slowed in some areas, such as Port Phillip and Yarra, where public housing tower redevelopments have reduced the number of available properties. The result is a growing bottleneck: we are connecting with and supporting more people, but there are fewer long-term housing options available.
Despite these challenges, several communities are sustaining functional zero for priority groups, including First Nations people in Stonnington, Dandenong and Merri-bek, and people aged over 55 in Stonnington. Despite small inflows, these outcomes and the proximity of other projects to functional zero with these priority groups, show that targeted place-based efforts can deliver real impact even in a constrained housing environment.
We know that Advance to Zero’s data-driven approach is key to ending rough sleeping homelessness. Underpinning this are Housing First principles. By embedding our efforts to end rough sleeping within a Housing First framework, we are helping to ensure that our efforts remain person-centred, responsive to people’s needs and experiences, and focused on housing and support — the foundations for stability and recovery.
Table 1: Total number of people actively sleeping rough and total who secured housing in each local government area (LGA) by the end of FY24/25.
End of Financial year 24/25 | Port Phillip | Melbourne | Frankston | Stonnington | Dandenong | Yarra | Merri-bek | Mornington Peninsula | Totals |
Project started | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2024 | |
Total actively sleeping rough 24/25 | 76 | 188 | 64 | 10 | 70 | 63 | 31 | 110 | 612 |
Total secured housing 24/25 | 22 | 31 | 12 | 4 | 12 | 28 | 13 | 16 | 138 |
Over the last five years, rough sleeping numbers have fallen where Advance to Zero projects exist
As our data in Table 2 and Figure 1 demonstrate, despite our collective efforts, only a small proportion — 27% on average over the last five years — of people sleeping rough are being housed. Until exits outpace inflows, rough sleeping will remain a stubborn challenge.
Our near real-time data signals whether the system is shifting toward ending rough sleeping, not just managing it.
One of the key innovations of Advance to Zero is the ability to have real-time data on rough sleeping in Melbourne. Over the last five years, Advance to Zero projects have expanded across more local government areas, giving us near real-time visibility of every person sleeping rough in those communities. We now know each person by name and understand their needs, enabling us to coordinate and deliver targeted housing responses. Our data shows signs of Advance to Zero’s significant impact. Where Advance to Zero projects are embedded, rough sleeping numbers have fallen from their peaks:
- Melbourne CBD: -41% since 2022 peak
- Port Phillip: -51% since 2019 peak
- Frankston: -60% since 2021 peak
- Stonnington: -65% since 2024 peak
Table 2: Total number of clients and clients housed since FY20/21.
Financial year | Total client inflow | Total clients housed | Percentage of clients housed |
FY 20/21 | 429 | 82 | 19% |
FY 21/22 | 404 | 121 | 30% |
FY 22/23 | 409 | 186 | 45% |
FY 23/24 | 550 | 120 | 22% |
FY 24/25 | 549 | 138 | 24% |
Total | 2282 | 627 | 27% |
From evidence to public action: street art calls on the city to end rough sleeping
Through our Melbourne Zero initiative, we have coordinated efforts across Melbourne, gaining commitment from local councils, services, and the broader community to help end rough sleeping in the city.
This commitment is now reflected in the city itself. This year, we unveiled a striking mural by Archibald Prize-winning artist Matt Adnate in Melbourne’s CBD, urging the city to become the first in Australia to end rough sleeping.
The mural symbolises a city prepared to lead. With council partnerships, philanthropy and community backing, Melbourne can demonstrate that ending rough sleeping is possible. As the backbone organisation for the Advance to Zero projects, Launch Housing plays a central role in coordinating and driving the collective effort to end rough sleeping in Melbourne. This mural is more than art: it is a call to action.
‘This mural is a very visible reminder of the importance of connection, safety, and having a place to call home. It calls upon us all to continue our collective efforts to make homelessness rare, brief, and non-recurring.’
Impact stories
Client journey
Journey out of rough sleeping
Footnotes
- Johnston, P. (2025) Social Cohesion Insights 09: Stretched Thin – The Emotional Toll of Financial Stress. Scanlon Foundation Research Institute.
