Council leaders sleep out for homelessness and call for state action
Published on 03 June 2026
As the sun sets over Frankston’s foreshore this month, two of the city’s leaders will swap comfort for cardboard, spending a winter’s night outdoors to shine a light on a growing reality in our community. Frankston City Mayor Cr Sue Baker and CEO Tennille Bradley are joining the Vinnies CEO Sleepout not only to raise awareness of homelessness, but to push for urgent State Government investment ahead of November’s election.
At the centre of that call is a clear local ask: $2.5 million in State funding over four years for additional outreach workers in Frankston City to strengthen the Frankston and Mornington Zero Project, a proven, frontline response to rough sleeping and a key priority under Council’s 2026 Frankston City First advocacy campaign.
For both leaders, the sleepout is about connecting community awareness with real solutions.
Mayor Baker, participating for the first time, said the experience is an opportunity to stand alongside those doing it tough while also making the case for change.
“Rough sleeping in Frankston City is at a four-year high, with more than 59 people identified as sleeping rough each night in May this year,” Cr Baker said.
“Behind that number are real people just like you and me — individuals, families and young people — who are facing incredibly difficult circumstances, often out of sight.
“For one night, I’ll be sleeping outside. While this can’t replicate the reality of homelessness, it’s an opportunity to stand in solidarity and raise awareness of what people in our community are going through.
“But awareness alone isn’t enough. With the State Election coming up, there’s a real opportunity to invest in solutions that work, and outreach is one of the most effective ways to help people move off the streets and into stable housing. “
CEO Tennille Bradley said homelessness in Frankston City isn’t always highly visible but is increasingly complex.
“Many people are experiencing hidden homelessness. They’re staying on couches, living in cars, or in overcrowded housing,” she said.
“We’re seeing increasing demand and complexity, which is why strengthening our local response is critical.”
Both leaders point to the impact of the Frankston and Mornington Peninsula Zero Project, which brings services together to actively reduce rough sleeping through a coordinated, person-centred approach.
Since its launch in 2021, 361 people experiencing rough sleeping in Frankston have been added to the project’s By-Name List, a real-time tool that enables outreach workers to build relationships, understand individual needs, and connect people with housing, health care and support services.
However, demand is growing.
As at May 2026, 92 people were actively listed, including 59 sleeping rough. This is the highest number recorded. The increase reflects both rising need and the success of outreach in identifying and engaging people who might otherwise remain disconnected.
Ms Bradley said the additional investment that Council is seeking from the state government, would directly expand that impact, by creating two dedicated outreach teams to provide coordinated support for rough sleepers until safe and stable housing can be achieved.
“We know outreach works, it’s how we build trust with people who are often disconnected from services and support them into safer, more stable pathways,” she said.
“Additional outreach resources would significantly strengthen our capacity to respond to demand and accelerate progress toward ending rough sleeping in Frankston City.”
This year, more than 260 leaders across Victoria are taking part in the Vinnies CEO Sleepout, with a statewide fundraising goal of $1.75 million to support accommodation and services, including for people escaping violence.
Cr Baker said the sleepout is about both compassion and action.
“Every contribution helps, and so does raising awareness — but we also need sustained investment to tackle the root causes of homelessness,” she said.
“We want to make sure no one in our community is left without the support they need or a safe place to call home.
Mayor Baker and Ms Bradley will also be reaching out to other local business and community leaders across Frankston City to ask them to join the sleepout this year.
Vinnies has also confirmed that at the end of the sleep out campaign (31 July), they will work with Council to direct funds raised by Mayor Baker and Ms Bradley back into the local area via Vinnies-approved providers.
For more information about the Vinnies CEO Sleep out: Fundraise for Australians experiencing homelessness - Vinnies CEO Sleepout
For more information about the Frankston City First advocacy campaign: www.Frankston.vic.gov.au/Frankstoncityfirst
Frankston City Mayor Sue Baker and CEO Tennille Bradley will swap comfort for cardboard, spending a winter’s night outdoors to shine a light on a growing problem of homelessness across the city – and to seek ongoing State Government support ahead of the 2026 election.