From Rugby Field to Rough Sleeping: Australia’s Housing Crisis and a Program Offering Real Hope
Australia is facing a growing crisis of persistent homelessness, with a surge in the number of individuals experiencing long-term housing insecurity. Data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare reveals a significant increase, rising from 29,500 in 2018-19 to 36,600 in 2022-23. But amidst the bleak statistics, a unique program called journey to Social Inclusion (J2SI) is demonstrating a remarkable 90% success rate in getting – and keeping – vulnerable people housed, offering a potential roadmap for national reform.
Rodney, a 57-year-old former rugby player, embodies the complexities of this crisis. After years on the streets of the Gold Coast, Byron Bay, and Canberra, he found stability through J2SI. “Nine years I was on the street,” he recounts,his voice a soft contrast to his burly frame. “I’d resigned myself to the fact that it’s going to be years before I can get a public housing spot.” The physical toll of his experience is evident – missing teeth, a reliance on a cane, and a failing body – yet his gratitude shines through. He remembers being beaten on the streets and the brutal realities of life without a home, but also the camaraderie of the rugby pitch.
Rodney’s story is not unique. Many experiencing long-term homelessness have complex needs, including psychosocial disabilities, cognitive impairment, or a history of fleeing violent homes. Shockingly, over two in five (42%) of those experiencing persistent homelessness in 2022-23 were women and children impacted by family and domestic violence. These individuals often cycle through temporary accommodation, struggling to navigate the complex web of support services. For Rodney, a simple property viewing – a small but significant step toward reclaiming his life.
The success of J2SI highlights a growing consensus among homelessness advocates: the need to shift from emergency response to prevention. Advocates point to Finland’s “Housing First” strategy, which has reduced long-term homelessness by 68% as 2007. This approach prioritizes providing unconditional housing, coupled with comprehensive social work support to address mental health, employment, and community integration. The Finnish government achieved this by building social housing and purchasing existing properties, transforming temporary shelters into permanent homes.
Michael Fotheringham, from the Australian housing and Urban research Institute, notes that Australia already embraces the principles of Housing First, but lacks the crucial element: sufficient housing. “The basic principles of Housing First is … first you house them, then you resolve their other problems with wraparound services and supports,” he explains. “One of the traps that some services get into is they do the housing part and don’t realy follow through on the wraparound services. That’s not Housing First. That’s just housing.” He emphasizes that short-term crisis accommodation is insufficient, as “two weeks, for example, is not enough time for people to actually address the range of challenges that they’re dealing with.”
Kate Colvin, CEO of Homelessness Australia, echoes this sentiment, expressing frustration with the current system. “Australia’s homelessness service system must focus on finding people more permanent housing, to end the exhausting cycle of a temporary roof over one’s head.”
Rodney’s experience underscores the transformative power of stable housing. After completing his three years in the J2SI program in July, he reflects, “I’m happy with where I am, and I’m more happy with who I am. I’ve kind of found myself again.” He now rides his tricycle to cafes and along the foreshore, enjoying a newfound sense of freedom and well-being.
However,Rodney also delivers a stark warning. “Something’s got to change,and it’s got to change quick. And the only way we’ll get change is when state and federal governments realize the system’s broken,and there’s no use trying to stick your fingers in the pipe,as the walls are breaking. It has to be stripped down to bare bones and start it again.” His words serve as a powerful call to action,urging policymakers to prioritize long-term solutions and invest in a future where everyone has a safe and secure place to call home.
