A tent stays pitched nearby the Goulburn River in Shepparton as floodwaters evict its residents.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Around 40 people experiencing homelessness in Shepparton are living in tents, some of those now waterlogged.
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While it’s impossible to know exactly how many have been hit with a second crisis in what’s already a difficult season for them, Beyond Housing has seen “a small number of people” washed out of their temporary bush homes, due to the current minor flood event in the region, through its doors.
The homelessness organisation’s client services manager, Catherine Jefferies, said to have no home during the coldest time of year was a dire situation.
“It is a reminder how difficult it is for people to be without a home at any time of the year; however, it is particularly challenging in winter, to keep warm and dry,” Ms Jefferies said.
The Salvation Army Homelessness North Vic manager Omeni Ndlovu said the number of camps inhabited by rough sleepers The Salvation Army had identified on the Peter Ross-Edwards Causeway between Shepparton and Mooroopna was three.
He said the organisation had not been contacted by the occupants of two of the tents, but staff had been trying to locate the occupant of the third to see what he needed after spending time in hospital last week.
“The Salvation Army church will assist with any emergency support for those in need, for example food, blankets, clothing, etcetera, and refer anyone to the entry point, Beyond Housing, for housing support,” Mr Ndlovu said.
“So far, the church has not seen any walk-ins from those affected by floods.”
Ms Jefferies said not everyone was comfortable seeking help, for a range of reasons, whether it was because they were not fond of the organisations, didn’t know about the services they offered, or simply didn’t want to.
Damaged tents have been moved away from the flooded river and presumably abandoned by their owners.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
From July 1, 2025, to June 30, this year, Beyond Housing saw 1122 people who were homeless or at risk of homelessness in Shepparton.
Of those people, 41 said they were living or staying in a tent.
During the same period, there were 23 of the 355 people who presented to Beyond Housing’s Seymour office reportedly staying or living in a tent.
“If people present, we assess their immediate needs and risks,” Ms Jefferies said.
Beyond Housing can provide:
Short-term crisis accommodation
Referral to case management support
Check individuals are on the Victorian Housing Register or complete an application to get on it
Link people to material aid, including food, mobile phones, phone credit, blankets and other goods
Make referrals to specialist services, including mental health, family violence, alcohol and other drugs support
Maintain contact with people while waiting for a support service to engage
In order for the Australian Bureau of Statistics to get a more accurate picture of the homelessness situation across the country, everyone in Australia will be required to complete next month’s five-yearly Census on Census night (August 11), including people with no usual address.
Support will be provided to make sure everyone living in Australia is counted, including those who are sleeping rough (including in a car or tent), staying in supported or crisis accommodation, staying in a boarding or rooming house, being brokered into temporary accommodation by a homelessness service provider or between homes staying temporarily with friends or family.
Census staff will be in locations across Australia where people are known to sleep rough, to perform face-to-face interviews with rough sleepers between August 10 and 16.
They will either ask questions and write down the answers or people can choose to fill in a paper form or go online to complete the Census.
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