How has COVID-19 affected Australia’s homeless?

During lockdown, hundreds of homeless people in Melbourne were moved into hotels. But what will happen to them now?

Melbourne, Australia – When Melbourne went into lockdown between March and October last year, the city’s rough sleepers were considered to be at high risk.

Without a secure and isolated place in which to lock down, the concern was that they could easily catch and transmit COVID-19.

The Victorian government responded by providing funding for people experiencing homelessness to access hotel rooms across the city, which were empty due to the lack of tourists.