Understanding the experience and cause of homelessness

The problem

In 2008 the Government published a white paper, The Road Home A National Approach to Reducing Homelessness. At that time in Australia, around 105,000 people were homeless on any one night and while the overall rate had been relatively stable, increasing numbers of children, families and older people were experiencing homelessness. The paper outlined the Government’s aim to halve homelessness and offer accommodation to all rough sleepers needing it by 2020. There was, however, little understanding of homelessness. As such, they sought to commission a survey on the experience of homelessness, which was awarded to Melbourne Institute.

The research

Journeys Home tracked almost 1,700 Australians who were or were at risk of homelessness for two and a half years from 2011 to understand the complexities of homelessness. The surveys collected detailed information on participants’ housing situations, support services, and challenges, such as physical and mental health conditions, drug and alcohol use, and financial circumstances. As a longitudinal study, the survey not only provided rich descriptive data on the homeless population but, crucially, enabled rigorous research into the factors that drive people into homelessness and those that help them exit it. Differences among groups – men and women, younger and older – were also examined.

The impact

Journeys Home became the largest and most comprehensive longitudinal survey of homelessness in Australia and the first study of its kind in the world. It has had significant impact on academia and policy, attracting broad collaboration from international scholars and economists and generating rigorous analysis (previously not possible) published in top tier journals. Findings have been used by researchers, government agencies and community organisations to develop strategies to support people facing living and housing challenges, including policy to prevent people entering homelessness. The research informed the National Homelessness Research Agenda (2023), the Government's new commitment to reduce homelessness. Numerous reports have cited the study and the data still downloaded.

Department: Melbourne Institute
Area: Homelessness, housing insecurity