Our approach to homelessness

Anyone can experience homelessness, no matter their background or where they live. People do not choose to be homeless, and it does not define who they are.

What is homelessness?

Someone is considered to be experiencing homelessness when they do not have a safe, stable, and secure place to call home. It can be the result of many complex social, economic and health related factors.

Homelessness can include rough sleeping (sleeping outside), sleeping in a car, couch surfing, needing access to short-term or emergency accommodation, or living in places that are overcrowded or where you do not have a secure or legal right to stay.

Who we support

We fund services that help people who are:

• experiencing homelessness, or
• at risk of homelessness, for example, someone who still has a home but may lose it soon.

By helping people early, these services focus on prevention or diversion from homelessness.

Our goal is simple: to ensure all South Australians are safe, connected and with a place to call home.

How we work

South Australia has three connected parts that work together to address homelessness:

• Service — direct support activity, such as a caseworker helping a young person into transitional housing.
• Sector — the organisations and workers who deliver support. This includes non-government organisations, housing providers, domestic and family violence services and state housing agencies.
• System — the policies, funding, and structures that guide how support works

Together, these parts create a coordinated, consistent approach focused on helping people find safe, stable housing.