A dire shortage of social housing in Victoria is putting the safety of some of the state's most vulnerable people at risk, a leading homeless advocate says.

Council to Homeless Persons chief executive Jenny Smith's plea for more investment into social housing comes after the death of 25-year-old Melbourne woman Courtney Herron.

Police say Courtney Herron was homeless at the time of her death.

Homicide squad Detective Inspector Andrew Stamper said on Sunday that Ms Herron, who was struggling with homelessness before her death, died as a result of a "horrendous bashing" in Royal Park in Parkville.

He said Ms Herron had struggled in life with drug and mental health issues and described her as a "vulnerable" member of the community who society had failed to protect.