This report examines the increasing strain on Specialist Homelessness Services during the worsening housing crisis. With more Australians at risk of losing their homes, services are struggling to meet demand, leaving many without the support they need. 

It contends that Specialist Homelessness Services are stretched, and official figures are not capturing the full extent of unmet demand for help. A survey of 23 specialist homelessness services was conducted over a two-week period in 2024, finding significant and growing gaps in service delivery. 

The report calls for urgent action through increased funding, early intervention programs, and a Housing First approach to prevent unmet need from escalating and ensure no calls for help go unanswered.

Key findings

• In 2022 there were between 2.7 million and 3.2 million Australians at risk of homelessness –  a 63% increase from 2016.
• 39% of services were forced to close their doors to people seeking help at least once during the fortnight.
• 83% of services were unable to answer phone calls for some period during the survey, leaving people in crisis without immediate assistance.
• 74% of services were unable to reply to emails during the survey, impacting housing referrals and support requests.
• Families with children who had no accommodation were not assisted on 1 in 5 of the days surveyed
• Individuals without dependents were turned away on 1 in 2 of the days surveyed.
• Unaccompanied young people and children with no accommodation were turned away on 1 in 9 days surveyed.

Recommendations

1. Enhance prevention through early intervention programs that help identify and support individuals and families at risk
   before they experience homelessness.
2. Increase funding to homelessness services to lift operational capacity across supports and accommodation services, ensuring that services remain accessible.
3. Commonwealth and state governments should commit to expanding Housing First and supportive housing programs to reduce the growing number of people experiencing persistent or repeat homelessness.
4. Link data to service capacity and planning to identify gaps and prevent unmet need from escalating.