South Australia’s homelessness system is set for a major overhaul after an independent review found the current model has failed to deliver the statewide integration, consistency and outcomes it was designed to achieve.
The review, conducted by the University of Adelaide’s BetterStart research group, examined the five-Alliance model introduced in 2021 and found significant structural and implementation issues across the system.
According to the review, the model has not achieved its intended outcomes, with the system continuing to rely heavily on local relationships, goodwill and individual service providers rather than a coordinated statewide approach.
“The Review finds the current model cannot deliver a coherent, equitable or sustainable system response,” the report states.
The Alliance model replaced a broader funding structure with five Homelessness Alliances, including four geographically based alliances and a statewide Domestic and Family Violence Safety Alliance.
The review found the transition disrupted long-standing relationships across the homelessness sector, while issues remain around governance, access to services, data, workforce support and outcomes for priority groups.
It also found the system is “not consistently safe or effective, particularly for priority groups”.
The review involved more than 65 interviews and focus groups, input from more than 200 people across the sector, 292 workforce survey responses and analysis of more than 800 documents submitted by specialist homelessness services.
Jindawayni Consultancy was also engaged to support the inclusion of Aboriginal voices, governance, cultural authority and lived experience throughout the process.
The report contains 18 recommendations and 16 sub-recommendations covering four major areas, including stronger governance and commissioning, more consistent access to services, better data and evaluation, and greater workforce support and participation from people with lived experience.
Minister for Human Services Katrine Hildyard said the Government would now work with homelessness services, Aboriginal organisations, workers and people with lived experience to develop the next stage of reform.
“South Australians experiencing or at risk of homelessness deserve a system that works for them and supports the organisations helping people through some of their most difficult circumstances,” Minister Hildyard said.
“We cannot change what happened in 2021, but we can learn from it and set a new course toward real reform.”
Current homelessness service contracts will be extended by 12 months to June 30, 2028, while the new reform pathway is developed.
The Government currently commits $91.5 million annually to homelessness services, with a further $6 million allocated to Catherine House, Hutt Street Centre and St Vincent de Paul to increase frontline support in Adelaide’s CBD.
The review follows concerns raised by the Auditor-General in 2024 around oversight, performance monitoring, governance, data and demand management within the homelessness system.
Work will now begin on co-designing the next stage of South Australia’s homelessness response, with a greater focus on preventing homelessness before it occurs.
