Geelong Zero Project
Bringing together local organisations to reduce homelessness in the Geelong region and end rough sleeping by 2035.
What is Geelong Zero?
Geelong Zero is a community-led initiative addressing homelessness in Central Geelong.
We’re working to bring together local organisations to support rough sleepers, including:
- Housing and homelessness support services
- Health and community services
- Family and domestic violence support
- Disability support services
- Local council and police
Launched in October 2022, the project is supported by Neami National, the Anthony Costa Foundation, the Australian Alliance to End Homelessness and the Give Where You Live Foundation.
How does the project work?
Geelong Zero uses the Advance to Zero approach, an evidence-based strategy to end rough sleeping.
The project establishes a real time picture of immediate housing needs using a housing first lens.
While working together to find safe and stable housing, people are offered wrap-around support to address their full range of needs. This is shaped by their priorities and can include mental health, physical health, financial and social support.
This focuses on what matters most for each person: a stable home and the support to keep it.
By collaborating with local organisations, Geelong Zero aims to:
- Address homelessness in Central Geelong by using a shared measurement framework across services.
- Support a region-wide By-Name List to ensure no one falls between the cracks.
What is a By-Name List?
A By-Name List (BNL) is a region-wide list of every person in that community experiencing homelessness, updated in real time.
The success of Geelong Zero is driven by collaborative practices, including the integration of the By-Name List. The BNL means we know each person by name, creating shared understanding across services about our community members and their support needs. The BNL enables a coordinate response to our community members needs and reduces trauma by reducing the number of times they need to tell their story
Get involved
Working together can create lasting change. We invite local support services and organisations to join the Geelong Zero project.
For more information, please get in touch.
If you need support
You can call the 24-hour statewide service for free on 1800 825 955, who can refer you to help in your local area.
If you are looking for support and are currently rough sleeping in the Geelong area, please contact Towards Home+ Geelong service.
Partners
Neami National is leading the initiative with support from the Anthony Costa Foundation, the Australian Alliance to End Homelessness, and the Give Where You Live Foundation.
Geelong Zero is generously funded for 2026 by a grant from the Anthony Costa Foundation.
Geelong Zero was funded for 2022 – 2025 in part by a grant from the Give Where You Live Foundation.
We sincerely appreciate the support of our philanthropic partners who share our commitment to creating positive change in the Geelong community.
Contact Geelong Zero
If your organisation is interested in getting involved, email or call our team.