The Structural Drivers of Homelessness

February 27 2012

Housing and health are both significant areas of government investment. Our research provides evidence of a clear link between unstable housing and poor health. We’ve conducted research into the links between precarious housing and health, as well as the structural drivers of homelessness.

The Structural Drivers of Homelessness: Exploring the Relationships Between Housing Market, Labour Market, Demographics, Service Availability and Homelessness in Victoria (February 2012)

The Structural Drivers of Homelessness: Exploring the Relationships Between Housing Market, Labour Market, Demographics, Service Availability and Homelessness in Victoria (February 2012)

The homelessness sector and governments have long argued the lack of low cost rental stock causes homelessness and prevents its resolution. However, neither homelessness nor housing market research has provided population level evidence to support this claim. This study addresses this gap by exploring the relationship between tight housing markets and rates of homelessness, and also examines other factors such as weak labour markets, demographic factors and the location of homelessness services.

Our research into the structural drivers of homelessness explores the relationships between the housing market, labour market, demographics, service availability and homelessness in Victoria. The research won the 2012 Federal Housing Minister’s Award for Early Career Researchers, and provided for the first time solid evidence that there is a clear link between the private rental market, income and homelessness in Victoria.

Presented at the Australasian Housing Researchers Conference in Adelaide in February 2012, this research plays an important role in our advocacy work with governments and policy-makers.

Download:

The Structural Drivers of Homelessness: Full report (pdf)