Catholic social services are encouraging members of the Catholic community in the City of Port Phillip to actively participate in the Council’s current consultation process for its new Community Safety Plan. Amidst a worsening housing crisis, they are advocating for an approach grounded in compassion, kindness, and the inherent dignity of every person.
Concerns within the Catholic community were first heightened following a Port Phillip Council motion on February 19, 2025, which requested officers to investigate and report back on options that included fining and move-on individuals who are homeless. Catholic Social Services Victoria (CSSV), alongside Sacred Heart Mission, St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria, and the Episcopal Vicar for Social Services and Justice in the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne – who is also a local Parish Priest in the City of Port Phillip, felt this proposed approach was “contrary to the kind of community we want to build up locally and regionally” and did not uphold the dignity of each person. They sent a letter, expressing these sentiments and encouraging action, to members of the Catholic community within the municipality, including parishes, schools and other Christian groups, last month.
According to the leaders who signed the letter, the context for this consultation is a “dire situation” where, incredible increases in private rental prices, with very low vacancy rates, have made it nearly impossible for individuals reliant on support pensions or government benefits to find housing. “With some 55,024 waiting on the Victorian Housing Register for secure, affordable social housing, it is understandably leading to an increasing presence of people sleeping rough in public areas,” they said.
The Good Shepherd Sisters, who have decades of experience working with vulnerable women in St Kilda, also expressed initial concern to the City of Port Phillip Council about the possibility of fining people sleeping rough. In a letter to Council (8 May 2025), they powerfully stated:
“To fine those who already have little or no money, while not providing better options is a very sad situation” and that “to fine someone for staying alive and trying to live is a grave injustice and will not solve the problem”.
Their message underscores the principle that “human rights are important whether one is rich or poor”.
Recommendations from Community Safety Roundtable and ongoing community consultation
Following the February motion, a Community Safety Roundtable chaired by former Chief Magistrate, Ian Gray AM, was held on March 19, 2025, bringing together about 20 stakeholders from community and social services support organisations, health and legal services, and Victoria Police.
Hang Vo, CEO of Sacred Heart Mission, attended the Roundtable and noted that attendees reached a unanimous recommendation to Council: “That understanding, kindness and support are the best answers, not punitive fines and moving people on.” Ms Vo said she was encouraged to note this information was ‘well received’ by Council and attendees.
The letter signatories are “heartened” that Council at its most recent meeting on May 22, 2025, have decided not to fine those experiencing homelessness, and that a further period of community consultation will take place.
Councillors voted unanimously to continue following up several recommendations from the Community Safety Roundtable which fit within existing policies and budgets. They include enhancing existing partnerships and developing a protocol with Victoria Police and key service providers to further support a coordinated response.
Ongoing consultation provides an opportunity for community members to comment on a potential change to Local Laws which could allow Council to designate encampment ‘hotspots’ as temporary no-camping areas if they are raising amenity or safety concerns. This potential change is described as being considered as a ‘last resort’, specifically if offers of housing and health care by social service providers were not taken up by people experiencing homelessness. This remains a concerning approach, with the possibility that the Council would confiscate and destroy the property of those in encampments, rather than provide accessible storage facilities for belongings as a more compassionate measure.
Mayor Louise Crawford emphasised that the decision was solely to “consult on the potential amendment to help interrogate whether it would be effective and fit-for-purpose. The majority of Councillors felt this potential option should go to consultation to give our community the opportunity to comment. We will carefully consider their views as part of the assessment of whether we should progress further – or not,” she said.
The signatories to the letter acknowledge community concerns about safety, however, they emphasise that those sleeping rough are often suffering from lack of sleep, insecurity, and are themselves more vulnerable. “When someone is homeless, especially when sleeping rough, they are more likely to become a victim of crime and to become unwell, and, tragically, die young,” they said. Research cited shows a median age of death of just 49 for those seeking help due to homelessness.
Dr Jennifer Fitzgerald AM, CEO of the St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria, said:
“People in Port Phillip want to feel safe and supported — this includes the people we walk alongside who are sleeping rough. The way to build genuine safety is not through exclusion zones or fines. It’s through compassion, housing, and care. No one should be punished for being homeless.”
Noting the ongoing consultation by Council, the letter signatories are calling on Catholics and all people of good will to remember the story of the Good Samaritan. “From a faith perspective, the Good Samaritan story calls us to offer healing care and not a punitive spirit,” says Fr John Petrulis.
“Catholic faith and tradition teach us to recognise the human dignity inherent in each person and to go the extra mile, to sit with discomfort and bear each other’s burdens. This communal response is vital.”
The public consultation is an opportunity for the community to contribute to a plan that is both effective and compassionate. Based on faith, tradition, and experience, Catholic Social Services Victoria, Sacred Heart Mission, St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria, and the Episcopal Vicar for Social Services and Justice recommend the following actions:
- Call the City of Port Phillip Council at 03 9209 6777 to share your concerns about homelessness and advocate for an approach that ensures everyone feels welcome and supported, or have your say online via the Community Safety Plan being developed.
- Create opportunities within your parishes, schools, and groups for prayer and reflection on attitudes towards homelessness, modelling and encouraging patience and kindness.
- Explore practical involvement, potentially partnering with the Council or Catholic social services, by speaking to neighbours and friends to foster deeper community connection and welcome or supporting housing initiatives.
Feedback from this initial consultation will inform a draft plan to Council expected in September 2025, followed by a second opportunity for feedback in October 2025 before the final plan is anticipated in December 2025.