Homelessness is not always visible
Published on 18 September 2026
It can mean sleeping in a car after escaping family violence, continuing to work without knowing where you will sleep that night, or trying to protect your children from the reality of an unstable housing situation.
For Sarah*, homelessness was largely hidden.
Sarah had recently left a violent long-term relationship. After exhausting her options with friends and family, she found herself sleeping in her car while continuing to work and caring for her teenage daughter on weekends.
Every day was focused on survival.
To stay safe and avoid being found by her former partner, Sarah moved between locations and carefully chose places where she could park overnight without drawing attention. Like many women escaping family violence, her priorities were staying safety, maintaining her privacy and protecting her daughter from the full extent of what she was experiencing.
Sarah did not initially identify herself as experiencing homelessness and did not know where to turn for help. Without outreach, her situation could have remained hidden.
Sarah was connected with Frankston Zero, a partnership of local homelessness, health, legal, and community organisations working together to end rough sleeping in Frankston City.
Through Frankston Zero, an assertive outreach worker from Launch Housing, built trust with Sarah, understood her immediate concerns and connected her with the support she needed.
That included safety planning, referrals to family violence services, and help navigating housing options. Community Support Frankston provided emergency food relief, while a Bolton Clarke nurse supported Sarah to access shower facilities at the Frankston Comfort Station.
Most importantly, Sarah didn’t have to navigate the system alone.
With ongoing support from organisations working together through Frankston Zero, Sarah moved into transitional housing, providing safety and stability while longer term housing options were explored.
Her story highlights the power of coordinated outreach, and the difference local partnerships can make. By bringing services together around a person's needs, Frankston Zero helps people access practical support, safer accommodation, and pathways out of homelessness.
It's also a reminder that homelessness is not just about housing - it's about safety, health, dignity, and ensuring people are supported at some of the most vulnerable moments in their lives.
Frankston Zero is working towards a future where rough sleeping in Frankston City is rare, brief, and a one time occurrence. Every day, partner organisations are helping identify people earlier, connect them with support and create pathways into stable housing.
As the community looks ahead to the State election, Sarah's story highlights why continued investment in homelessness prevention, assertive outreach and coordinated local partnerships matters.
Continued State Government funding for initiatives such as Frankston Zero will help ensure more people can be identified earlier, connected with the right services and supported into safe, stable accommodation.
Ahead of this year's State Election, ask your Frankston, Carrum, and Hastings candidates to put Frankston Zero and Frankston City First:
More information: Frankston City First - Frankston City Council
*Name and identifying details have been changed to protect privacy.