A continued shift? Learnings from the public health response to COVID-19 and homelessness

The project examines collaboration between health agencies and specialist homelessness services both during and following the COVID-19 emergency.

The findings of this project led by Chris Hartley - together with Deb Batterham, Catherine Robinson, Emma Barnes, Chris Mason, and Kylie Valentine - explore what happens when healthcare and housing services genuinely work together to support people experiencing homelessness.

Published by the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute (AHURI), the study highlights how rapid, cross-sector collaboration during the COVID-19 pandemic led to more effective health service delivery for some of Australia’s most vulnerable populations.

Drawing on case studies from New South Wales, Victoria, and Tasmania, the research identified what worked, what didn’t, and what is needed to create sustainable change.Key takeaways:

• Early and close collaboration between health and homelessness agencies is critical
• Mobile and outreach-based health services are essential
  
• Homelessness must be treated as an ongoing public health emergency - not just in times of crisis