The WAAEH Outcomes Measurement Framework offers a revitalised and reconceptualised approach to the research and evaluation of homelessness. Being focused neither on a specific program, intervention or policy, as many outcomes frameworks relating to homelessness are, nor simply focused on articulating and measuring the ultimate 10-year outcomes sought in the WAAEH Strategy, the challenge presented was one of articulating and measuring in detail the complex adaptive system within which homelessness occurs.

The resulting Framework is characterised by a multilevel (micro, meso, macro) design aimed at analysing the interactions amongst levels, domains, and indicators with the purpose of learning and changing towards ending homelessness. Learning and changing towards ending homelessness is enabled by a developmental evaluation approach to the measurement and evaluation of the Framework. This multi-level design and developmental evaluation approach allows for explanation of diverse and contestable evidence bases, drawn from a range of stakeholders through a variety of research methods, thus embracing the complex reality rather than the simplified rhetoric of evidence-based policy making.