The snapshot represents, on a given day in 2024, the reality faced by young people accessing Melbourne City Mission's homelessness programs and in particular their intersecting experiences of family violence, mental health, and persistent homelessness. Selected macro-economic data is included to create a better understanding of economic context and government spending across these three areas.

The report provides insights and analyses of data provided by over 1,700 government-funded agencies delivering homelessness services. The data offer a unique opportunity to expand upon existing qualitative studies on homelessness that, while rich in depth (being based on interviews, questionnaires, or case notes), are often based on relatively small sample sizes or timeframes.

The extent of homelessness for children in Australia represents a shocking failure of public policy. In 2022-23, more than 76,000 children sought help from homelessness services almost –16,000 of them alone, and many fleeing domestic violence, abuse or neglect. This snapshot report makes clear the need for urgent action.

The Queensland government is working towards a future where First Nations peoples in Queensland have a fairer housing system. As part of their commitment, they have launched this strategy and 4-year action plan to close the housing gap for First Nations peoples in Queensland.

This report investigates the rationale for an Australian housing and homelessness strategy. Applying contemporary thinking about the role of governments in complex problem-solving, and lessons from other ‘national approaches’ here and internationally, it sets out options for achieving cohesive, co-ordinated action on housing and homelessness in the Australian federation.