One crisis away: St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria calls on government to partner to end homelessness
More than 30,000 Victorians are currently experiencing homelessness and almost half of all low-income households are living just one crisis away from homelessness and long-term hardship.
Today, St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria (the Society) launched its Strategic Advocacy Plan 2026–2030 at the Parliament of Victoria - a call to action ahead of the state election, calling on all parties to commit to a long-term housing strategy focused on prevention, housing supply and community support.
The launch brought together government, opposition and crossbench members of parliament alongside sector leaders and people with lived experience - a powerful signal of broad, cross-party recognition that homelessness, and the prevention of it, is one of Victoria's most urgent challenges.
The Society's plan calls on the Victorian Government to partner with the sector to deliver more social and affordable homes, invest in early intervention, and formally recognise the role of “social capital”, which is defined as the community networks and trusted relationships critical to keeping people in long-term homes. The plan includes a vision for a "No Wrong Door" service system: one where people are met once, heard once, and helped quickly.
Interim Group CEO Charlie Spendlove said the plan represented a fundamental shift in how Victoria must respond to homelessness.
"Victoria is in a social emergency. We're not asking government to solve this alone, we're offering to partner with them to prevent homelessness before it starts. That shift from crisis response to prevention is what this plan is all about.
"There's a razor-fine edge between living in a low-income household and living in poverty and homelessness. We see it every day, families choosing between rent and putting food on the table, prioritising the roof over their heads while cutting back on food, utilities and healthcare. We must act before people reach that edge," Ms Spendlove said.
State President Brendan Podbury said the plan was grounded in nearly two centuries of frontline experience.
"Our members and volunteers see every day what works and what doesn't. They see the 'choice' women are forced to make between a violent home and the backseat of a car. They see families stuck in a cycle of reactive support. When the right supports are in place, people don't just survive, they rebuild. That's the case we're taking to government," he said.
The Society is one of Victoria's largest community-based organisations with 10,000 members and volunteers and 650 staff embedded in local communities across the state. Through VincentCare Victoria and VincentCare Community Housing, the Society provides a continuum of care from advocacy and prevention through to safe, supported housing. Together, these arms of the organisation ensure the Society's policy voice is grounded in both lived experience and practical service delivery expertise.
About the Strategic Advocacy Plan 2026–2030
The Society's three advocacy priorities are:
- A long-term social and affordable housing strategy that provides certainty and integrates housing with support services.
- Sustained investment in prevention and early intervention, so services and communities can plan and respond before people reach crisis point.
- Formal recognition and funding of social capital — the community-based networks essential to long-term housing stability.
The Society is not standing on the sidelines. It is offering partnership: to test new ideas, share frontline insights, participate in pilots, and help refine what works. The plan will undergo an annual review to ensure priorities remain relevant, evidence-based and responsive.
MEDIA ENQUIRIES
Libby Woolnough – P: 0421 004 044 – E: libby.woolnough@svdp-vic.org.au
ABOUT THE ST VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY
The St Vincent de Paul Society and its wide network of members and volunteers provide practical frontline support, advocacy and friendship for the most vulnerable members of our community. Key services include home visitation; Vinnies Shops; youth programs; soup vans; assistance for asylum seekers and refugees; education and tutoring; and professional accommodation and health services through VincentCare. The St Vincent de Paul Society in Victoria has more than 10,000+ members and volunteers, and more than 60,000 across Australia. Internationally, the Society operates in 149 countries and more than 950,000 members. To find out more visit: St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria | Vinnies