The changing geography of homelessness in Australia (2001-2021) and its structural drivers

This project will address the overarching policy question: What structural factors are important in driving short and longer-term changes in the incidence and geography of homelessness over the period 2001–2021? To what extent is the location of specialist homelessness services and affordable rental housing adequate to respond to this changing geography?

This broad policy question will be answered through the following three research questions:

1. How does the incidence of homelessness vary within and between regions, states and territories over time?

• Is homelessness becoming more or less spatially concentrated?
• Is the composition of the homeless population (in terms of operational groups and demographics) changing over time across regions, states and territories?
• What proportion of people experiencing homelessness move across SA3 boundaries and how does this compare to other groups?

2. Where are people experiencing homelessness located in relation to specialist homelessness services (SHS) and affordable rental housing (both private and public)?

3. What role do structural factors such as supplies of affordable private rental housing, demographics, labour markets, poverty and inequality, play in shaping differences in rates of homelessness across Australia?

This project will provide an analysis of the changing geography of homelessness and its structural drivers between 2001-2021. It includes a focus on affordable private rental housing and specialist homelessness service use. Results will inform service provision and affordable housing and homelessness policies in preventing and responding to homelessness.

Lead Researcher: Dr Deb Batterham, Swinburne University

Project Number: 51308