Journeys Home is an important national survey about the living and housing challenges that people may be facing.
It is funded by the Australian Government Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) and run by the Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research at the University of Melbourne.
The study allows for analysis of the diverse social, economic and personal factors that are related to housing stability. Journeys Home will help policy makers, academics and service providers to understand the needs and experiences of Australians in the field of housing and will help all levels of government to provide better services to people who have living and housing challenges.
The landmark study will follow the lives of more than 1,500 Australians who are experiencing or are at risk of homelessness.
The need for this research was identified in the Australian Government’s White Paper on Homelessness. Current Australia-wide data does not capture issues such as the length of time that people are homeless and why this varies for different people.
Australian Government Minister for Social Housing and Homelessness Mark Arbib said the two-year study would provide valuable insights into homelessness.
Senator Arbib said the Federal Government and the states were investing record amounts to fight homelessness, but it was critical that service delivery was targeted to stopping people becoming homeless in the first place.
The Senator’s website contains his latest media release on Journeys Home.