Partnering for better outcomes in housing and homelessness

How can we achieve better outcomes for our clients in social housing and those experiencing or at risk of homelessness?

DCJ has a longstanding partnership with the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute (AHURI) to help answer this question. AHURI publishes research and policy briefs on housing, homelessness and related urban issues. DCJ’s Housing and Homelessness Division contributes funding and input to AHURI’s annual national research agenda.

Some examples of published research include:

• Urban Indigenous homelessness: much more than housing examines the causes, cultural contextual meanings and safe responses to homelessness for Indigenous Australians in urban settings. The study uses Australian policy, practice, and academic literature, together with interviews with stakeholders in four case-study sites.
• Enhancing the coordination of housing supports for individuals leaving institutional settings provides recommendations for enhancing housing assistance for individuals leaving residential treatment for mental health and/or substance use, the criminal justice system or out-of-home care.
• Inquiry into integrated housing support for vulnerable families investigates how housing support for vulnerable families can best be integrated with other types of support to enhance safety and wellbeing.
• An effective homelessness services system for older Australians examines homelessness amongst older populations (aged 55+) including the distinctive reasons for and issues faced by older people, many of whom are experiencing homelessness for the first time.

Findings from this research are relevant to DCJ clients and can help inform policy and practice in housing and homelessness.