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Homelessness information and support

Support and services are available for people who are homeless, at risk of homelessness or escaping family violence in Knox.

Where can I get help?

If you are currently experiencing homelessness or are at risk

Call the Victorian Statewide Homelessness Line on 1800 825 955.

Free call (24 hours a day, 7 days a week)
 

Or contact Uniting Ringwood on 8870 4020.
 

Alternatively, you can attend in person at 291A Maroondah Highway, Ringwood.

Monday to Friday, 9 am – 5 pm.

If you are experiencing family violence

Call Safe Steps Family Violence Response Centre on 1800 015 188.

Free call (24 hours a day, 7 days a week)

If you are in dangerCall 000

Support services

Services such as housing support, showers, meals and washing machines in the Knox area are listed below.

Housing support services
Organisation Contact

Uniting - Private Rental Assistance
321 Ferntree Gully Rd, Mount Waverley.

Monday to Friday, 9 am – 5 pm.

9051 3000

unitingvictas.org.au

Knox InfoLink
136 Boronia Road, Boronia.

Monday to Thursday, 10 am – 3 pm.

9761 1325

knoxinfolink.org.au

Knox Youth Information Centre

Please contact by phone.

9298 8469

knox.vic.gov.au

SalvoCare Eastern Homeless Outreach Program

9890 7144

salvationarmy.org.au

Housing support for over 55s

Knox City Council can provide support for Knox residents who are 55 years or over and homeless or at risk of homelessness.

Shower and washing machine services
OrganisationContact

Uniting Ringwood
291a Maroondah Hwy, Ringwood.

Monday to Friday, 9 am – 5 pm.

8870 4000

unitingvictas.org.au

Dandenong Ranges Emergency Relief Service (DRERS)
1616-1624 Burwood Highway, Belgrave

Monday to Friday, 8:45 am – 4:45 pm.

9754 7777

drers.org.au

Knox InfoLink
136 Boronia Road, Boronia.

Free showers: Monday to Friday, 10 am – 3 pm.

Free laundry service: Mondays, 11 am – 1 pm.

9761 1325

knoxinfolink.org.au

Community @ Cavell
17 Cavell St, Scoresby.

Free showers: Tuesdays, 2 pm – 6 pm.

9759 9155

facebook.com/communityatcavell

Toilets and toilet access

Search toiletmap.gov.au (click on Find and type in the suburb you need).

Community meals
Organisation Contact

Knox Infolink Breakfast Program

Boronia Progress Hall
134 Boronia Road, Boronia.

Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays
8 am – 10 am.

OR

Saint Paul's Church
273 Dorset Rd, Boronia.

Wednesdays 8 am – 10 am.

9761 1325

knoxinfolink.org.au

Saint Paul’s Boronia
273 Dorset Rd, Boronia.

Appointment necessary.

9761 1797

stpaulsboronia.com

Wesleyan Methodist Church
36 Pine Crescent, Boronia.

9762 8535

wesleyan.org.au

CityLife Community Care
1248 High Street Rd, Wantirna South.

9871 8900

citylife.care

Community @ Cavell
17 Cavell St, Scoresby.

9759 9155

facebook.com/communityatcavell

Foothills Community Care
Ferntree Gully Guide Hall 
Underwood Rd, Ferntree Gully.

8711 8677

foothillscare.org.au

Food with Friends

Rowville Baptist Church
Cnr Wellington Rd and Le John St, Rowville.

9764 4242

rowvillebaptist.org.au

Boronia Road Uniting Church
Cnr Boronia Road & Zeising Court, Boronia.

Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 10am – 12pm.

9762 6732

bruc.com.au

Australia for Christ Church
1079 Stud Rd, Rowville.

9764 8330

australiaforchrist.church

Wesley Mission
291a Maroondah Hwy, Ringwood.

8870 4000

wesleymission.org.au

Emergency food relief
Organisation Contact

Knox Infolink
136 Boronia Rd, Boronia.

Closed Fridays

9761 1325

knoxinfolink.org.au

Restore Community Care
24 Laser Dr, Rowville.

Appointment necessary

Closed Fridays

8736 7053

restorecommunitycare.org

 

Adracare
Cnr Railway & Lyones Pde, Upper Ferntree Gully.

Monday 1pm – 3pm.

9752 2897

adra.org.au

Australia for Christ Church
1070 Stud Rd, Rowville.

9764 8330

australiaforchrist.church

Boronia Road Uniting Church
209 Boronia Road, Boronia 
(Cnr Zeising Court and Boronia Road).

Tuesday and Friday 10 am – 12 midday.

9762 6732

bruc.com.au

RAFT (All Souls) Church 
131 Taylors Lane, Rowville.

Appointment necessary.

9764 2573

raftchurch.org.au

The Salvation Army
37 Wattletree Rd, Ferntree Gully.

9752 2682

ferntreegully.vic.au/community-organisations/support/the-salvation-army/

CHAMPION (Temple Society Aust)
Community Hall, 51 Elizabeth St, Bayswater.

Monday 10am – 12 midday.
Wednesday 12:30pm – 3:30pm.

0433 335 815

templesociety.org.au/champion

CityLife Community Care
1248 High Street Rd, Wantirna South.

Appointment necessary.

9871 8900

citylife.care

Wellington Care Centre
Cnr Wellington Rd and Le John St, Rowville.

Drop in - no appointment required.

9764 3738

wellingtoncarecentre.com.au

Crisis support services

Access mental health support services in Knox. 

Family violence support services

Access family violence support services in Knox.

Device charging

A solar powered bench is available at Knox InfoLink at 136 Boronia Road, Boronia.

You can use the solar bench to:

  • charge your handheld devices such as smart phones or tablets
  • connect to free WiFi.

 

You can also charge your devices at any library in Knox.

How to respond to rough sleeping

If you are concerned for the welfare of someone who is rough sleeping, you can let us know using our online reporting form.

Report rough sleeping

What happens next

After a rough sleeping report is made, our Short Term Support Team will make contact and identify the best ways to offer support.

About homelessness

The causes of homelessness are complex, with no single trigger. Many factors play a role and interact with each other.

Homelessness means the lack of things that typically make us feel at 'home'. These can include security, stability, privacy, safety and control over your own living space.

A person is homeless if they:

  • live in a dwelling that is inadequate
  • have no security of tenure
  • do not have control, or access to space for social relations.

This may include people:

  • living in improvised dwellings, tents or cars
  • sleeping out in supported accommodation for the homeless
  • sleeping in temporary accommodation in other households
  • sleeping in boarding houses, other temporary lodgings, and in severely overcrowded buildings.

Family violence and homelessness

Fleeing family violence is the biggest cause of homelessness in Victoria.

More than one-third of women accessing homelessness services are fleeing family violence (Australian Government Statistics).

Our approach to homelessness

All Victorians have the right to be in public spaces. People who are homeless should be treated with the same dignity and respect as any other member of the public.

Out approach to homelessness and rough sleeping in Knox is:

  • connecting people who are homeless or sleeping rough with support services
  • linking people with suitable housing or services before they become homeless, where possible
  • working with other organisations towards the goal of preventing homelessness
  • monitoring accessibility to housing providers and support services
  • increasing awareness and community education on the cause of homelessness.

View the Knox Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Policy

Impounded possessions

If your possessions are obstructing a public space, Council may impound them under Local Law.

Our Community Laws Officers will take reasonable steps to identify the owner and advise that their belongings have been impounded.

We must keep the goods for 14 days before selling, destroying, disposing of or giving them away.

A fee may be payable to release your impounded goods.

If you believe your goods have impounded, you should contact us as soon as possible on 9298 8000.

Need help?

Contact us and we will get back to you.

Or call our Customer Service team on 9298 8000.

Our services

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