Warrnambool's homelessness crisis would be the top priority for Tom Campbell if he is elected in the upcoming council elections.
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The 28-year-old said the council needed to investigate the services that were being offered by providers in the region and consider re-purposing existing buildings to accommodate people struggling to obtain a rental.
"We don't need to reinvent the wheel but we need to look at making land available for social housing, where possible, and re-purposing existing buildings," Mr Campbell said.
"The council also needs to monitor the situation to understand the extent of the problem."
He said a recent report presented to the council showed the number of people who were sleeping rough or couch surfing was increasing.
Mr Campbell said there were a number of factors that had led to an increase, including people fleeing a domestic violence situation, LGBT youth asked to leave their home and a lack of affordable housing in Warrnambool.
In addition to that the majority of social housing available caters for families, not single people or a couple without children.
Mr Campbell, who works for Latrobe Community Health Service helping to deliver the National Disability Insurance Scheme, said he also wanted to make it easier for residents to share their opinions on issues.
He believes having question time at the start of meetings would encourage more people to have a say, while having regular question and answer sessions in smaller communities in the region would also help.
In addition to that he would like to see general business reintroduced at council meetings to allow councillors to speak about issues constituents have raised with them.
"There's a general sentiment the councillors seem to be a disconnected from the community and I would hope to change that," Mr Campbell said.
He said he would be honoured to have the opportunity to help make Warrnambool a better place to live and visit.
"Having the opportunity to give back and help shape the future of a place you live and love would be great," Mr Campbell said.
Mr Campbell is one of 13 people to announce their intent to contest the October election. The others are: Otha Akoch, Robert Anderson, Debbie Arnott, Ben Blain, Jim Burke, Sue Cassidy, Kylie Gaston, Vicki Jellie, Steve Moore, Mike Neoh, Angie Paspaliaris and Tracey Togni.
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