‘No one should be punished for being homeless’: Catholic social services call for compassion in City of Port Phillip

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. Amid 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 19 February 2025, which asked officers to investigate and report back on options that included fining and moving 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, Fr John Petrulis—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.

In May, the group sent a letter to members of the Catholic community within the municipality—parishes, schools and other Christian groups—expressing these sentiments and encouraging action. According to the leaders who signed the letter, the context for this consultation is a ‘dire situation’ in which 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.

To fine those who already have little or no money, while not providing better options is a very sad situation.

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 on 8 May 2025, they said, ‘To fine those who already have little or no money, while not providing better options, is a very sad situation,’ and ‘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.’

Following the February motion, a Community Safety Roundtable was held in March, bringing together 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 heartened to note this information was ‘well received’ by council and attendees.

At its most recent meeting on 22 May, the council decided not to fine those experiencing homelessness, and that a further period of community consultation would take place. Councillors voted unanimously to continue following up several recommendations from the Community Safety Roundtable that fit within existing policies and budgets, such as enhancing existing partnerships and developing a protocol with Victoria Police and key service providers to further support a coordinated response.

Letter signatories remain concerned, however, as a potential change to local laws could allow council to designate encampment ‘hotspots’ as temporary no-camping areas if they are raising amenity or safety concerns. Council may also 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 said that council is offering the community the opportunity to comment on the proposed changes. ‘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, but they emphasise that those sleeping rough are often suffering from lack of sleep and from 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.

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.

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.’

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.’