Overall, nearly 4,000 people sleeping rough were placed in hotel accommodation between April 2020 and March 2021 - almost five times as many people sleeping rough across Melbourne than the number estimated (798 in metro Melbourne) on census night 2016.

The devastating effects of the pandemic have not let up. Enormous social and economic hardship has increased Melbourne’s housing crisis. Sustained commitment, evidence-based solutions and ongoing funding is needed to address the source of these issues, while still providing immediate assistance to people in need.

This impact report begins to tell the story of what has changed for people, community and society in Melbourne as a result of Launch Housing's work this year, along with their understanding of what has influenced those changes. The story is told through ten impact measures, combined with stories of what this means on the ground.