Homelessness system review

The Department of Human Services (DHS) commissioned an independent review of South Australia’s homelessness system to help shape the future of homelessness services across the state.

The review considered how the current system operates, what is working well and what needs to change. It was informed by people who work across the homelessness sector, Aboriginal organisations, government agencies and people with experiences of homelessness.

The review provides a pathway towards a more connected, consistent and accountable homelessness system — one that is easier to access, culturally safe and focused on improving long-term outcomes for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

Why this review was done

Homelessness is complex and closely connected with other systems, including housing, health and domestic, family and sexual violence services.

South Australia’s homelessness system has changed over time, including through major reforms introduced in 2020. Since then, services have continued to support people with increasingly complex needs, while demand and pressure across the system have grown.

DHS commissioned the independent review following issues raised by the Auditor-General and ahead of current service contracts ending. Its purpose was to consider whether the homelessness system remains fit for purpose, inform future commissioning arrangements and strengthen the department’s role as system steward.

The review examined the homelessness system as a whole. It was not an audit or performance assessment of individual providers, services or Alliances. It focused on how the system is designed, governed, funded and coordinated, and how these arrangements can be strengthened.

How the review was shaped

DHS appointed BetterStart at the University of Adelaide and Jindawayni Consultancy to complete the independent Homelessness System Review. Jindawayni Consultancy was engaged as the dedicated Aboriginal consultancy partner to support the inclusion of Aboriginal voices, cultural authority, governance and experiences throughout the review. Both partners brought extensive experience in homelessness, social policy, system reform, commissioning, evaluation, Aboriginal governance, cultural safety and community engagement.

The review was shaped by broad consultation with the homelessness sector and Aboriginal experiences of homelessness.

The review included:

• more than 65 interviews and focus groups with government, homelessness services, Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations, Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations and other stakeholders
• input from more than 200 people across the sector
• 292 workforce survey responses
• review of more than 800 documents submitted by specialist homelessness services
• specific engagement with Aboriginal organisations, Aboriginal workers and Aboriginal people with lived experience
• engagement with people who have experienced homelessness
• review of policies, contracts, data, governance and performance information, including Homelessness to Home data where available.

The review also considered important parts of the broader system, including youth homelessness, rough sleeping, domestic, family and sexual violence, and place-based responses.

What the review found

The review recognised the commitment, expertise and dedication of people and organisations across South Australia’s homelessness sector. Services continue to work hard to support people, often within challenging conditions.

However, the review found that the way the system is currently structured does not always enable services and other parts of government to work together as effectively as they could.

Key challenges include:

• people having different experiences of the system depending on where they live or seek help
• access to support being inconsistent and difficult to navigate
• fragmented connections between homelessness, housing, health, domestic and family violence, and other services
• governance and commissioning arrangements that do not provide sufficient system-wide leadership, accountability or coordination
• data and information systems that do not provide a clear and timely picture of demand, service responses and outcomes
• inequitable outcomes for some groups, particularly Aboriginal people and children and young people
• increasing workforce pressure caused by growing demand and complexity.

These are system-level challenges. They do not reflect a lack of commitment or effort by individual services or workers.

The proposed future system

The review makes 18 recommendations across four key themes:

• Governance and commissioning reform – clear system leadership, Aboriginal cultural governance, shared priorities and commissioning that reflects community need.
• Access and practice reform – easier, safer and more consistent access to support, including specific pathways for Aboriginal people and children and young people, shared practice approaches and stronger connections with housing and domestic and family violence services.
• Clinical and cultural governance, data and evaluation – stronger oversight, contemporary data and learning systems, and better evidence to support accountability and improved outcomes.
• Workforce and people with experiences of homelessness – a supported and capable workforce, Aboriginal workforce development, and meaningful involvement of people with experiences of homelessness in system design and governance.

Together, the recommendations provide a pathway towards a homelessness system that is more connected, coordinated and consistent, and better able to respond to people’s needs.

What happens next

The release of the review marks the beginning of the next phase of reform.

DHS will work with homelessness services, Aboriginal organisations, people with experiences of homelessness, other government agencies and community partners to inform implementation and the detailed design of future arrangements.

Current specialist homelessness service contracts will be extended for 12 months, to 30 June 2028. This will provide stability for services and the people they support, while allowing sufficient time for careful planning, engagement and implementation.

Changes will be progressed in stages, recognising the scale of the reform and the importance of maintaining service continuity.

Our commitment

DHS recognises the expertise and commitment of South Australia’s homelessness sector and the vital role it plays in supporting people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

We are committed to working in partnership to build a system that is coordinated and consistent, culturally safe, easier to access and focused on long-term outcomes.

Contact us

For more information, email dhshomelessnesssystemspartnerships@sa.gov.au