Social housing diversity and integration

Summary

Though there is general acceptance that the development of effective structures and processes that cross conventional boundaries between program, organisation, and sectors (referred to as integration) is central to addressing the policy and management challenges facing social housing in Australia, there is inconclusive evidence from international evaluation of such initiatives about whether the outcomes for clients are indeed beneficial. The research found that Integration is a common solution proposed for improving outcomes for clients in an increasingly more complex social housing environment. However, there has been limited evaluation to date of Australian integration initiatives to test whether the hoped for outcomes are being achieved.


Project Number: 20336
Research Theme: Public_and_Community_housing
Project Leader: Jones, Andrew
Funding Year: 2006
Research Centre: Queensland

Research and Policy Bulletin

Research & Policy Bulletin

Issue 112: Enhancing the effectiveness of Australian social housing integration initiatives

Though there is general acceptance that the development of effective structures and processes that cross conventional boundaries between program, organisation, and sectors (referred to as integration) is central to addressing the policy and management challenges facing social housing in Australia, there is inconclusive evidence from international evaluation of such initiatives about whether the outcomes for clients are indeed beneficial.

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Description

The research began with a detailed review of the international and Australian literature on integration in the human services and documentation of the development of Australian social housing to better understand the historical drivers of the current focus on integration. Three key workshops with social housing policy-makers, managers and service deliverers in Queensland, New South Wales and South Australia were held to identify integration issues, challenges and opportunities from the perspective of those working in the social housing system. Following the workshops a series of key informant interviews were held and a review of key policy documents undertaken to deepen understanding of particular integration initiatives identified in the workshops.

The key findings of the research are:

  • Integration is a common solution proposed for improving outcomes for clients in an increasingly more complex social housing environment. However, there has been limited evaluation to date of Australian integration initiatives to test whether the hoped for outcomes are being achieved.
  • The international evidence on the outcomes of reforms undertaken in the name of integration is inconclusive about whether or not they achieve improved program performance and client outcomes.
  • There is thus a strong case for arguing that all major integration policies and programs should include a research and evaluation component.
  • The analysis of the literature, however, does provide guidance about the principles and frameworks associated with successful integration of human services. This literature provides a foundation for more effective integration practice in Australian social housing and related areas, and can be used as the basis for policy and program design and training initiatives for social housing managers.

More Information

Download now Positioning Paper: No. 102: Integration and social housing in Australia: challenges and options
310 KB PDF Document

Download now Final Report: No. 129: Integration and social housing in Australia: theory and practice
546 KB PDF Document

Download now Research and Policy Bulletin: Issue 112: Enhancing the effectiveness of Australian social housing integration initiatives
399 KB PDF Document

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