Footscray Community Response

16/09/2026

The premier will go to November’s state election promising to introduce “Jack’s Law” – new search powers for police that have already been backed by the Coalition.

15/09/2026

This local council in Queensland has already been slammed by the Supreme Court for breaching the human rights of homeless people. Now they’re back doing the same, cruel stuff - this time leading a man to attempt to take his own life.

Advocate says homeless clearances should be halted after man is hospitalised during confrontation in Brisbane park

11/09/2026

Footscray belongs to everyone.

That is more than a platitude. In this polarised climate, it is something we have to fight for. It is a fight for the rights, safety and belonging of everyone who lives in Footscray.

Join us to work towards a Footscray grounded in community, care, inclusion, dignity and solidarity.

08/09/2026

Please read these devastating personal testimonies of the impact of state authorities stealing unhoused people’s belongings in the US. We are seeing the same devastation caused in Footscray by cruel confiscation policies designed to make homeless people’s lives as hard as possible in order to displace them.

Cities often take belongings — including important documents and irreplaceable mementos — when they conduct sweeps of homeless encampments. ProPublica gave notecards to people across the country so they could explain what they lost in their own words.

06/09/2026

The Foley House fight is not over. But it’s getting dire.

You can help keep this essential service operating and keep the traumatised residents from being pushed back into homelessness.

The Salvation Army Australia

03/09/2026

Some might say the two “experts” quoted in this story, Maribyrnong Councillor Susan Yengi and Salvation Army Homelessness Manager Peter McGrath, are engaging in some doublespeak here.

Yengi: “Councils are increasingly becoming frontline responders, helping people experiencing homelessness in parks, libraries, community centres and public spaces, despite not being funded or formally recognised for this role.” Um Susan, if you haven’t noticed, the only frontline response Maribyrnong council is conducting to homelessness is to deliberately make homeless people’s lives as difficult as possible by stealing their belongings, hosing down their homes and belongings, and blocking their meagre sleeping spots.

McGrath: “With the demand in our entry point services, we are finding that we are having to turn away more people because we don’t have the resources to assist.” Is this like how you are closing Foley House and forcing men with serious disabilities back to face futures of rough sleeping, Peter? Need we remind you the Salvos has $1.3 billion annual revenue and only spends 14.5% of it on homelessness services? We’re pretty sure this is a question of priorities.

Discover how homeless rates in Melbourne’s west are 50 percent higher than the national average and its implications.

23/08/2026

21/08/2026

“…thanks to a bi-monthly outreach service in Footscray, those who are struggling to afford food or even keep a roof over their head, are now getting hot meals delivered as well.

Every second Thursday since May, a food ministry run by St John’s Anglican Church, in conjunction with local youth charity Acts of Random Kindness Victoria (ARK-VIC) and global non-government organisation Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL), has been hand-delivering hot meals to those experiencing hardship in Footscray, as well as other parts of the western suburbs.

Volunteers cook the meals in the church hall kitchen, preparing hot dishes of rice, meat, and vegetables in generous portions.”

Great work by these local groups providing warming, high quality meals and friendship to Footscray unhoused community.

Being able to order hot, restaurant-quality meals and have them home delivered is a luxury most people now take for granted. But thanks to a bi-monthly outreach service in Footscray, those who are struggling to afford food or even keep a roof over their head, are now getting hot meals delivered as w...

18/08/2026

Such a big source of demonising attitudes in Footscray… let’s blame the council who does not provide sufficient public toilets and no public showers, not the individuals impacted by these decisions. There is not even a toilet at Lighthouse Cafe.

14/08/2026

If you’re upset about the normalisation of state brutality against the most marginalised in our community, join FCR as we work together for something very different.




Katie Hall MP
Cr Mohamed Semra