BACKGROUND

Homelessness Australia (HA) is the national peak body working to prevent and respond to homelessness in Australia.

Homelessness Australia was formed in late 1998 as the Australian Federation of Homelessness Organisations (AFHO) by the:

• Council for Homeless Persons Australia (CHPA)
• The National Youth Coalition for Housing (NYCH)
• Women's Services Network (WESNET)

AFHO changed its name to Homelessness Australia (HA) in 2007 to better reflect the sector. 

HA was established with a joint vision to proactively research, develop and promote national policy and action to reduce homelessness and its impact on the diverse range of people it affects. HA aims to achieve this vision by consulting with homelessness agencies nationally, undertaking research and policy development and educating the community about homelessness. 

ROLE

Homelessness Australia (HA) seeks to improve community awareness and understanding of the issues facing the 1 in every 200 Australians who are homeless. HA advocates for people who are homeless, aims to represent the interests of more than 1300 homeless assistance services, and contributes to policy development and the evaluation of Australia’s homelessness service system.

HA works collaboratively with homeless people’s associations, homelessness assistance services, state homelessness peak organisations, national peak organisations from other sectors, governments, business and the broader community to achieve these objectives.

HA represents the single men and women, families, young people and women escaping domestic violence who access the diverse support and advocacy services.

FUNDING

Homelessness Australia acknowledges the ongoing financial support from the Commonwealth Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA)

Updated: January 2011