Melbourne authorities have made fresh attempts to clean up homeless camps in the CBD today, but the council has denied the measures are part of preparations for the Australian Open tennis tournament.
A number of homeless people were asked to leave the Flinders Street railway station so a concrete area could be cleaned, and many of them have since returned.
A City of Melbourne spokesperson claimed the council was "improving public amenity" by removing rubbish and belongings.
"There is no link between our routine and ongoing clean-up operations and any major events occurring in the city," the spokesperson said in a statement.
One homeless woman told 9NEWS she had no other option but be on the streets.
"If I had a proper house, don’t you think I’d be in it," she said.
Salvation Army Major Brendan Nottle said growing violence and crime have forced people to seek shelter on streets in the CBD, where they can feel more secure.
"They want to be where there is police and CCTV and that’s why we have these camps that have popped up all over the place," he said.
"We’ve had people come into the city for Christmas, families exposed to syringes and ice pipes."
But according to Mr Nottle, moving people on is not the right solution.
"I think the clean-up is a public health issue," he said.
"We need to find them accommodation."