New members appointed to advise council on homelessness

The City of Melbourne has refreshed its Homelessness Advisory Committee (HAC), appointing three new members to help guide policy and practice as the city confronts rising demand for support services.

At its November 11 Future Melbourne Committee meeting, councillors unanimously endorsed the outcome of a recent recruitment process to fill vacancies on the 12-member committee.

The HAC was established in 2021 to provide strategic advice on homelessness, ensuring council decisions are informed by community perspectives and aligned with best practice. Membership includes people with lived experience of homelessness, Indigenous and youth representatives, service providers, Victoria Police and senior council officers.

Chair of the committee, Cr Gladys Liu, said three members had recently stepped down due to personal and professional commitments, creating an opportunity to “refresh the committee’s composition and bring in new perspectives”.

“As the report highlights, the Homelessness Advisory Committee provides strategic advice on homelessness policy and practice, ensuring council decisions are informed by community perspectives and aligned with best practice,” Cr Liu told the meeting. 

“I would like to sincerely thank the three committee members who have finished recently or resigned due to work from this committee for their commitment, professionalism and dedication – their contributions have been invaluable.”

An expression-of-interest process run in July attracted 26 applications. New members were chosen for their experience in service delivery, housing, health interventions and engagement with people experiencing homelessness, as well as expertise in youth and family violence – areas identified as gaps in the current membership.

“I would like to thank all the applicants for their interest and commitment to supporting this very important work,” Cr Liu said. “Having seen the work of this committee firsthand I can attest to its impact.”

Cr Davydd Griffiths said keeping the committee at full strength was critical as the council considered a growing number of policies affecting people sleeping rough or in insecure housing.

“We obviously have a very large number of policies in a normal year, but I think probably this year more than most,” he said.

“This committee has a very, very important role in making sure that people with lived experience and the people who work with people experiencing homelessness are heard when we’re considering those important policies.”

Under the resolution, Cr Liu will write to successful candidates confirming their appointment, while management will notify unsuccessful applicants. The new members’ names will be made public once all applicants have been advised. •