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Homelessness NSW is a peak body not for profit organisation based in Sydney’s east that advocates on behalf of the homeless in research, to the media, and to all levels of government.

Its members include individuals, homelessness services, community organisations and corporations. It regularly proffers submissions to the New South Wales state government and City of Sydney and guides other organisations like universities and government departments on research into relevant topics. It is also regularly cited by news sources requiring comment on how a particular issue may affect homelessness specifically, or on the efficacy (or sometime lack thereof) of new or planned government policy at a local, state and federal level.

Work
Homelessness NSW operates in two main ways. Firstly, guiding (‘auspice-ing’) research into homelessness, its many cooccurring circumstances, causes, and effects, and generating reports from this. Secondly (and primarily) attempting to use this research to influence policy change at a local and state level. It is also a regular port-of-call for comment by most Australian news sources when reporting on homelessness in the state.

Aboriginal Homelessness
Due to the specific factors faced by Indigenous Australians that compound pathways to homelessness, Aboriginal homelessness is of special concern to the NSW government. A 2008 paper found that less than 20% of homeless Aboriginal respondents from NSW originated in Sydney. Lack of educational or employment opportunities in regional areas, and the well-known Indigenous community in Redfern were listed as primary motivators for relocating. From there, insecure housing and a lack of access to affordable housing, as well as mental or physical illness and addiction were significant risk factors in becoming homeless. ‘Koori homesickness’ was described by the researchers as the isolation felt by Aboriginal people separated from their community and exacerbated the depression already common in homeless people. Memmott and Chambers ultimately recommended that the State government should approach Aboriginal homelessness cooperatively with service providers and the Commonwealth government and be led by relevant Indigenous organisations. It noted the importance of an intersectional approach: Aboriginal women, children, members of the LGBT community, and those suffering from mental illness are at increased risk. Homelessness NSW has auspiced research projects in this area in recent years with comparable findings, suggesting that integrated service support is lacking and could be remedied through cooperative efforts from relevant serviced and agencies. Homelessness NSW’s ongoing project in this area has adopted a similar approach to that recommended by Memmott and Chambers, working with specialist Aboriginal homelessness services and other agencies.

Consumer Participation
Homelessness NSW is strongly in favour of consumer participation. Due to the nature of the consumers of specialist homelessness services, there are several notable barriers to consumer participation. Beyond issues intrinsic to the consumer group, staff attitudes and strictly regulated government funding in these areas can present issues. Homeless consumer participation in policy-making and specialist services is recommended by research on two main bases: that participation in decision-making is the right of an affected party, and that consumer participation is more likely to yield effective results.

Affordable Housing
federal scheme

National Homeless Strategy
Cooperation between State and Commonwealth governments on public policy regarding homelessness is recommended by several researchers in this area. Due to the federal funding of existing programs such as NPAH and Affordable Housing, Homelessness NSW is of the position that a National Homelessness Strategy is the most effective and streamlined approach. There has been no progress or further commitment to this strategy at the federal level since 2013.

Sources I want to include
NSW Premier's Council on Homelessness

City of Sydney: Homelessness

Aboriginal Women with Dependent Children Leaving Prison Project: Needs Analysis Report

Homelessness NSW Website

The New South Wales Homelessness Industry Partnership