Current policies for increasing the supply of affordable housing in Australia envisage a greatly increased role for community housing organisations (CHOs), including as a provider of housing for homeless people.

Data from the Australian Institute for Health and Welfare indicate that in the year to June 2008 around 36 per cent of new CHO allocations were to homeless people (AIHW 2009).

This study examines the role of CHOs in addressing homelessness and whether the sector will have the capacity to provide sustainable housing and support to this group in the context of expansion of the sector.

It will undertake a review of literature, consultations with peak bodies and homelessness organisations, a national survey of CHOs, interviews with CEOs and managers and a workshop with the CH sector, policy makers and researchers.