Homelessness is a complex problem and the solution requires more housing and support, so people can access and sustain their housing. This needs collaboration and accountability.  

Part of the problem is that we don’t currently know how many people are experiencing rough sleeping homelessness across Melbourne, as the only city-wide data available is via the census every 4 years.   

By-Name Lists open the door to zero rough sleeping across Melbourne:  When someone sleeping rough is known by name, supports and resources can be coordinated effectively until that person is housed. This is a foundation of the Advance to Zero method and the Melbourne Zero movement advocates for all Melbourne local councils to use it.  

There are currently 8 local council areas signed up across Melbourne. Each has developed and is using a By-Name List to coordinate resources and support for each person experiencing rough sleeping homelessness in their area. Since adopting the method each of these areas has seen a significant reduction in the number of people who are sleeping rough.  

Your visible support and actions as part of the Melbourne Zero movement help build local momentum for real change. By joining you become part of the solutions because you’re informed, helping keep your local council area accountable and supporting efforts to scale this proven approach across our city. This also builds pressure - a public license for systemic shifts - supporting partners working on the ground to advocate for the increased housing and wraparound support needed to ensure people sleeping rough can access and sustain their housing.