What to do if you see someone sleeping rough
Being homeless is not a crime. The unfortunate situation of a person being homeless is, by itself, not something that the Shire will investigate, except to pass on the location to local outreach workers who can attend the site and offer support; or to address instances that breach Mornington Peninsula Shire Council local law.
Community safety is our stop priority. If you come across someone sleeping rough who appears aggressive, erratic, or under the influence of substances, please do not approach them. Instead, contact Victoria Police on 000. They are trained to assess the situation and can connect the individual with appropriate homelessness support services.
If the person appears to be under 18 years of age, this should also be reported to Victoria Police immediately.
How to report a rough sleeping location
You can help us support people experiencing homelessness by reporting their location. Please provide as much detail as possible to help us respond effectively.
Report a concern
Call us
Phone: 1300 850 600
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
You can choose to remain anonymous.
What happens after you report?
We work closely with a network of local support services to respond to rough sleeping across the Shire.
Once a report is received:
- We notify the homeless support services.
- An outreach worker visits the location.
- They engage with the individual to understand their housing, health, and support needs.
If the person is displaying aggressive or antisocial behaviour, Victoria Police will be contacted to assist.