Homelessness is a health emergency

Integrated health and homelessness systems save lives

An Insights paper published today, on the first day of national Homelessness Week, urges for investment in integrated health and homelessness programs and services to end an avoidable homelessness and health crisis, and ease pressure on overburdened systems.

Homelessness is a health emergency. People experiencing homelessness often have multiple physical and mental health conditions, and those sleeping rough are at risk of dying 30 years earlier than people with stable housing. Those most vulnerable are those most affected.

First Nations Australians are over-represented among people experiencing homelessness and poor health. For women and children, family and domestic violence is the main driver of homelessness and is a major health emergency: Each year, there are around 6,500 hospitalisations for family and domestic violence related injuries. Family violence also results in long-term health issues caused by trauma and physical injury.

The Insights Paper, by Launch Housing – one of Melbourne’s largest independent organisations offering community housing and homelessness services — shows the inextricable relationship between health and homelessness by drawing on evidence from successful integrated programs around the world. It urges for more cross-sector collaboration, and investment in programs that work, to save lives.

“People experiencing homelessness are caught in the ultimate Catch-22 — they are perilously unsafe and unable to access the healthcare and support they need without stable housing, but at the same time they cannot access or sustain housing without getting the support and healthcare they need. Those health problems escalate every night they live without a home. We can’t separate health and homelessness: We need a holistic approach that uses trauma informed models with onsite support,” said Laura Mahoney, Launch Housing’s Executive Director of Homelessness Solutions and Impact.

A model of success detailed in the paper is the Better Health and Housing Program, a unique partnership between Launch Housing, Homes Victoria, St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne and the Brotherhood of St. Laurence, established as a pilot in 2022. It offers six-months residence and specialised healthcare and social supports for people who have experienced chronic homelessness and have complex health conditions caused or exacerbated by the experience of homelessness like cancer, diabetes, physical injury, or respiratory disease.

Priority has been given to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, who are overrepresented in homelessness (roughly 28% of clients accessing homelessness services across Australia are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people).

Evaluation shows that for residents who had a planned exit from BHHP 74% identified improvements in the management or resolution of health issues, with 37% noting improved management of mental health issues.

“Those supported by BHHP include some of our community’s most vulnerable: This program is clear model of what a successful integrated future would look like,” said Laura Mahoney.

St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne Chief Operating Officer, Jonathan Prescott, said the Better Health and Housing Program demonstrated the powerful impact of integrating health and housing services.

“St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne is proud to be the leading provider of healthcare for Victorians experiencing homelessness, and by collaborating with organisations who specialise in housing and social services, we have been able to enhance our impact in this area,” Jonathan Prescott said.

“Through the Better Health and Housing Program, we have improved health, housing and wellbeing outcomes for residents, reduced demand on acute healthcare services and, worked towards breaking the cycle of chronic homelessness and co-occurring poor health.”

The paper also identifies the benefits of an integrated health and homelessness system for those escaping family and domestic violence leading to a reduction of the devastating impact on individuals, and cost savings to government.

Viv’s Place – world-leading social housing for women and children escaping family violence – operated by Launch Housing in partnership with Uniting and the Victorian Government has projected savings of $49,173 per year to families and communities and an anticipated $274,267 annual saving to state government. This includes healthcare cost savings associated with a 50% reduction in intimate partner violence and reduced costs of treating mental health conditions. There are also anticipated reductions in costs of unresolved trauma for children.

Pregnant women are even more at risk of violence. If violence already exists, it is likely to increase in severity during pregnancy. The Cornelia program operated in partnership with the Royal Women’s Hospital and Housing First is another successful integrated model. The program provides 12-months of supported housing and maternal and child health care supports for mothers and babies who are at risk of, or experiencing, homelessness.

“We have seen how the program has supported many women to reach their parenting potential by providing wrap around and integrated care… we would like to acknowledge their strength in achieving this,” said Professor Sue Matthews, CEO, Royal Women’s Hospital.

“The Cornelia Program is unique and the first collaboration in Australia between a hospital, a housing provider and a homelessness service that focuses on this cohort of at-risk women. This multi-disciplinary and multi-agency approach is the secret to delivering this powerful program,” said Professor Sue Matthews.

The paper urges for cross-sector collaboration and merging of services, funding and resources across the health and homelessness sectors and calls on all levels of Government to invest in the true cost of implementing integrated health and homelessness programs and more trauma-informed long-term supportive housing.

“This Insights Paper reflects what our integrated health and homelessness programs show us everyday: Housing is good health care. We need to act now, and invest in more integrated programs, to end this avoidable health emergency and save lives.” said Laura Mahoney.

Read the Insights Paper: How to End an Avoidable Homelessness and Health Emergency.

Media contact

Alexa Tsoulis-Reay – 0447 964 899

Interview opportunities

Laura Mahoney, Executive Director of Homelessness Solutions and Impact, Launch Housing.

Former Clients and current staff from Launch Housing’s integrated supported crisis accommodation and BHHP program.