Louise Miller-Frost (Boothby, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Yesterday, I met with David Pearson, the CEO of Australian Alliance to End Homelessness, and Tim Richter, from the Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness. David and I worked together in the homelessness sector for many years when he was CEO of Adelaide Zero Project and I was co-chair. The Adelaide Zero Project is a collaboration between all three layers of government, including health, housing and police, and the not-for-profit sector, working together to end rough sleeping in the Adelaide CBD. The model is now being replicated across Australia in 29 communities, ranging from Geraldton to the City of Port Phillip.

The zero model is based on a by-name list, where we know each person sleeping rough by name and what they need to exit homelessness forever. The aim is that homelessness should be rare, brief and non-recurring. The key was all three layers of government working together, along with the not-for-profits, sharing data with consent and ensuring scarce resources were spread to those in need, focusing on homelessness prevention and support.

Queensland data shows that housing people with full social supports is $13,000 a year cheaper per person than keeping them homeless on the streets, and most people don't need that support ongoing. So there's a financial reason as well as common humanity in ending rough sleeping. Many thanks to Minister Clare O'Neil and her staff for making time to meet with them and to attend the forum.