Project Zero: Working Together to End Rough Sleeping

Every person experiencing rough sleeping has a story. Some have experienced family violence, others have lost work, struggled with health or addiction, or simply reached a point where they had nowhere else to go. While every journey is different, one thing remains the same: rebuilding a life takes the support of many people and organisations.

Through the Ballarat Innovation Grant, the Ballarat Foundation supported Project Zero to develop the technology behind its By-Name List – a secure database that enables local services to work together more effectively to support people experiencing rough sleeping. Today, that investment continues to strengthen collaboration across Ballarat and improve outcomes for people experiencing rough sleeping.

Led by Uniting Vic.Tas, Project Zero works in partnership with agencies from the Central Highlands Homelessness Alliance (CHHA). Together, they combine assertive outreach, coordinated service delivery and shared information to provide better support for people experiencing rough sleeping. The City of Ballarat is also a key partner, providing ongoing support to the program, including a dedicated staff member who helps strengthen collaboration and coordinate local responses.

A coordinated approach to ending rough sleeping

Project Zero brings together local organisations to identify, support and coordinate care for people experiencing rough sleeping. Rather than working in isolation, services share information, coordinate responses and develop individual support plans that focus on long-term housing and recovery.

Outreach workers build relationships with people sleeping rough, often meeting them where they are in parks, sporting reserves, tents, vehicles and other known locations across Ballarat. Building trust takes time, but it is a vital first step in connecting people with the support they need.

At the heart of this work is the By-Name List. More than a database, it gives local services a shared understanding of each person's circumstances, reducing the need for people to repeatedly tell their story while helping organisations coordinate support, identify unmet needs and advocate more effectively. Rather than working in isolation, participating agencies can see who is receiving support, who still needs assistance and what barriers are preventing someone from moving towards stable housing.

Stronger partnerships, better outcomes

The strength of Project Zero lies in collaboration. By bringing organisations together to share knowledge, clarify responsibilities and coordinate support, no single service is carrying the full responsibility of supporting someone experiencing rough sleeping. This coordinated approach helps ensure people receive the right support at the right time while allowing agencies to respond more efficiently.

Since October 2025, regular Service Coordination meetings have brought together organisations including Uniting, Cafs, Berry Street, CatholicCare, Wintringham, Grampians Mental Health and WRISC, with additional agencies joining as required. Together, they have strengthened referral pathways, improved communication between services, coordinated material aid and enhanced safety responses for people experiencing rough sleeping.

Alongside this, Hotspot meetings have helped coordinate responses across the city, leading to practical outcomes such as site clean-ups, improved police responses at high-report locations, coordinated mental health support and better planning around community events to minimise disruption for both rough sleepers and the wider community.

Making a difference

The impact of this collaborative approach is already evident.

There are currently 24 known rough sleepers in Ballarat's CBD receiving support through Project Zero and its partner organisations. Since the beginning of 2026, the number of known rough sleepers peaked at 45 in February before reducing as more people connected with housing and support services.

During the last financial year, Zero Coordination supported 67 people experiencing rough sleeping.

Collaboration in action

One person who had been sleeping in their car for three years and was deeply distrustful of services has now moved into their forever home. Through coordinated support, they are now receiving long-term assistance through J2SI and have re-engaged with ongoing medical care. 

Another person, who had very limited housing options after being excluded from many accommodation providers, was supported through collaboration between Wintringham, J2SI and Project Zero. By coordinating housing case management and alcohol and other drug support, the person was able to secure ongoing housing and continue receiving the support they needed.

Importantly, 21 people who received support have now moved into accommodation, including short, medium and long-term housing.

Collaboration has also helped connect people with specialised programs that provide ongoing support. Eleven people are now engaged with the Journey to Social Inclusion (J2SI) program, with six already accommodated on leases and three moving into permanent housing. Others have been supported through programs including Berry Street's Shared Single Women's Program, Wintringham and CatholicCare's Peplow House.

Behind every number is a person rebuilding their life.

Looking ahead

Ending rough sleeping is about far more than providing a roof over someone's head. It requires long-term support, strong partnerships and a shared commitment to helping people rebuild their lives.

Thanks to the Ballarat Innovation Grant, Project Zero has strengthened the systems that make this collaboration possible. The technology behind the By-Name List continues to improve information sharing, strengthen advocacy and help local organisations coordinate support more effectively for people experiencing rough sleeping.

While there is still more work to do, the progress made so far demonstrates what can be achieved when a community works together.

Together, we are helping ensure that more people experiencing rough sleeping have the opportunity to move towards safe housing, stability and hope for the future.