Ending Homelessness in Australia: an Evidence and Policy Deep Dive

The objectives of this report are twofold. First, to collate and assess the current evidence base on the state of homelessness in Australia and its key drivers. Second, to set out an evidence-informed policy and practice agenda towards ending homelessness in Australia.

Our examination of the current state of homelessness draws on publicly available Australian Census and Specialist Homelessness Services Collection (SHSC) data and national data sources on the drivers of homelessness.

The report also presents the first detailed examination of the consolidated national Advance to Zero database for the decade 2010-2020. The Advance to Zero database is a community organisation led and controlled database built on advance to zero homelessness projects (the Zero Projects). The Advance to Zero database includes responses to the Vulnerability Index – Service Prioritisation Decision Assistance Tool (VI-SPDAT) from those experiencing homelessness (particularly those who are sleeping rough and in homelessness service supported accommodation) as well as information on the journeys from homelessness to housing as mapped by homelessness services. The VI-SPDAT provides services on the ground with a comprehensive assessment of health and social needs. The Australian Advance to Zero database provides a rich platform from which to understand the circumstances of Australians experiencing homelessness and, in particular, those experiencing rough sleeping and in homelessness services supported accommodation in Australia’s cities and regional towns.

Homelessness is a complex problem. If we are to end it, we need to understand and engage all levers available to us. The rapid and varied responses to homelessness during COVID-19 come with positive and negative lessons; documenting these lessons will help to leverage the facilitators and avoid the pitfalls in future efforts to end homelessness.