Housing and homelessness: from strategy to coordinated action

Homelessness work crosses organisational boundaries. A council strategy needs to connect local evidence and lived experience with the work of housing, health and homelessness services, while clarifying what Council can contribute.

In her Council role, Alisha led the development of Merri-bek’s Homelessness Strategy 2024–2034 and supporting action plan, from research and lived-experience engagement through drafting, Council endorsement and implementation planning. She brought together demographic and service-system evidence, partnerships and advice to Council, working with Council colleagues and sector partners throughout.

Alisha’s strategy work included drafting, consultation and coordinating peer review of the Homelessness Strategy before it moved through Council governance and endorsement processes. This was professional policy peer review within the development process, alongside community and sector engagement.

Alisha led the tendering and establishment of Merri-bek’s assertive outreach partnership and Functional Zero approach, including coordination of the by-name list with local homelessness, housing and health partners. She connected strategy with service delivery through partnership development, governance and regional coordination.

Council adopted its first Homelessness Strategy and Action Plan in March 2024. Alisha’s work included coordinating partnerships, governance and reporting to support implementation. The contribution described here is part of a collective Council and sector effort.

On 9 September 2026, the Victorian Government announced a six-point homelessness plan backed by $24.8 million. The plan includes coordinated by-name lists, an online triage system and new complex care coordinators to lead multi-agency support and referrals. Homes Victoria describes a dedicated statewide service coordination function that helps outreach workers connect people sleeping rough with housing and support. The $24.8 million supports the broader plan; the announcement does not identify that full amount as funding for service coordination alone.

The Victorian Government’s plan provides current policy context for coordinated responses to rough sleeping. Alisha’s earlier work at Merri-bek involved similar approaches through Functional Zero and local partnerships. This comparison does not imply that she developed, advised on or secured funding for the state plan.

A useful strategy needs a pathway into delivery: clear responsibilities, workable partnerships and a shared understanding of where coordinated action is required. This experience informs Soft Infrastructure’s approach to policy, implementation planning and cross-sector facilitation.