Tragic Footscray death highlights need for more resources for homelessness response

The tragic death of Abdifatah Ahmed highlights the need for more resources for better homelessness response.

Council to Homeless Persons extends its deepest condolences to the family, friends, and community of Abdifatah Ahmed, a Somali Australian man who was fatally shot by police in Footscray on April 17 while sleeping rough.

This devastating incident must serve as a call to action to properly resource specialist homelessness services to engage in assertive outreach with rough sleepers. It also highlights the essential need that we continue with the programs under Victoria’s Homelessness Rough Sleeping Action Plan and more importantly reduce the red tape for people in crisis to access services.

“This tragedy is a stark reminder that homelessness is a life and death issue,” said Council to Homeless Persons CEO Deborah Di Natale. “Abdifatah needed a pathway to safe and secure long term housing, not a pathway to a life cut short. Assertive outreach services, when properly funded, can make a vital difference – building trust, connecting people to mental health and housing supports, and preventing these senseless deaths.”

Specialist homelessness services and other culturally safe supports are essential pillars in preventing such tragedies. Assertive outreach workers and other SHS frontline staff are often the only trusted link between people sleeping rough and the services that can help them. Without sustained investment in these approaches, vulnerable people are left exposed to escalating risks.

“The gaps in our homelessness system failed Abdifatah,” said Di Natale. “Ending homelessness takes a whole-of-community effort – police, councils, health services, and specialist homelessness services must be equipped and coordinated to prioritise care, not crisis. It requires cultural competence, trauma-informed practice, and, above all, a commitment to the right for everyone to have a home.”

Council to Homeless Persons also reiterates calls from community leaders for independent and transparent investigations into the circumstances of Abdifatah’s death.

“There must be full accountability and learning from this tragedy,” said Di Natale. “The best way to honour Abdifatah’s life is to ensure we build a society where human dignity comes first – where sleeping rough doesn’t cost you your life.”