This report has been prepared in response to consumer feedback that highlights the crisis in crisis accommodation in Melbourne’s north and west.

Across Victoria, there are only 423 crisis ‘beds’ available to people experiencing homelessness and/or family violence. When those beds are full, agencies are completely dependent on the private housing system and they use the limited funds they have available to access low end hotels and private roominghouses.

The specialist homelessness services 2017–18 web report is the seventh annual report from the Specialist Homelessness Services Collection. It describes the characteristics of clients of specialist homelessness services, the services requested, outcomes achieved, and unmet requests for services during 2017–18.

This chapter focuses on specialist homelessness services funded by government under the Council of Australian Governments National Affordable Housing Agreement and National Partnership Agreement on Homelessness. Other non-specialist homelessness services are not included in this Report.

Couch surfers are among the most hidden groups of people experiencing homelessness. This report explores the circumstances, experiences and housing outcomes of couch surfers who sought assistance from specialist homelessness services between 1 July 2011 and 30 June 2015.