This Evidence Brief presents key findings for people experiencing domestic and family violence in NSW from Taylor Fry’s Pathways to homelessness report. The authors also discuss implications for policy and practice. By better understanding the experiences and pathways of people experiencing DFV, supports can be put in place earlier to improve outcomes. The analysis uses a linked dataset that includes Specialist Homelessness Services (SHS) and 18 other NSW Government and Commonwealth services.

• In 2019–20, 39% of clients who presented to Specialist Homelessness Services for assistance in NSW had experienced domestic and family violence (DFV). This figure has been slowly increasing since 2014–15 (AIHW 2019). 
• The Taylor Fry analysis shows that over the six years to June 2017, 1 in 4 (23%) presentations to homelessness services reported DFV as a reason for seeking assistance. This group are more likely to be female and accompanied by children. 
• Being a victim of DFV increases the chance of accessing homelessness services for support. People experiencing DFV are 20 times more likely than the wider NSW population to access homelessness services within a year of a police-recorded DFV incident. The risk is highest in the months immediately following a report to police but falls quickly. 
• Generally, people accessing homelessness services who have experienced DFV have a less intensive cross-sector service use history than other clients. Their main point of contact with other services is with NSW Police as a victim of a DFV incident. However, only 1 in 8 (13%) people presenting to Specialist Homelessness Services with a DFV support need had a police-recorded DFV victim incident in the previous three years. Homelessness services may actually represent the first point of contact with government services for many within this vulnerable group. 
• A history of homelessness service use, court presentations, and welfare supports appear to be relevant predictors of homelessness and potential intervention points for people experiencing DFV.