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SA’s Homelessness Services Need Immediate Funding Boost to Meet Demand

SA’s Homelessness Services Need Immediate Funding Boost to Meet Demand

As part of National Homelessness Week, SACOSS and Hutt St Centre are calling for urgent government action to tackle substantial levels of homelessness amid South Australia’s ongoing housing crisis. 

With organisations like Hutt St Centre seeing unprecedented demand for their services, the state’s frontline homelessness service providers say they simply do not have the resources to keep up. 
 
According to recent data: 

  • More than 18,700 South Australians accessed homelessness services in 2023-24. But while rents and house prices continue to soar, funding to support those pushed out of the housing market has gone backwards, with funding falling by $10 million in real terms from 2021-22 to 2023-24. 
  • SA spends 10% less on homelessness services than the national average, at $4,932 per person obtaining support. This is only a little more than just over half of what is spent in the highest-spending jurisdiction, the ACT.
  • One in four people accessing homelessness services who needed accommodation in 2023-24 could not be placed into some form of shelter, meaning more than 2,300 people had to rely on rough-sleeping, couch-surfing, and other insecure and unstable forms of accommodation. 

More information is available at SACOSS’s Homelessness Week webpage.

Quotes attributable to Dr Catherine Earl, SACOSS CEO

South Australians should have access to safe, secure and affordable housing. The response to the global pandemic in 2021-22 showed what is possible, with funding for homelessness services increased and governments demonstrating political willpower to tackle rough-sleeping. Since then, funding to homelessness services has actually declined in real terms by around 11%.  

We need a roadmap for tackling homelessness with significant long-term investment in supports for people facing homelessness. With more than 14,000 people on the public housing waiting list, we also need substantial and consistent funding for building new public and community housing so there are options available to those for whom private rental is simply not an option.”

Quotes attributable to Chris Burns, Hutt St Centre CEO

We know how to end homelessness — we’ve seen it happen when the right support is there. But right now, frontline services like ours are being stretched to breaking point. Without adequate, long-term funding, we’re leaving too many South Australians behind.

Quotes attributable to Aislinn, a disabled single mother currently experiencing homelessness

I’m a disabled single mother of two disabled children and I’ve been homeless since May. Since mid-May my children and I have been living in emergency accommodation in the northern suburbs of Adelaide.  

I want the government to end mutual obligations for homeless people, build more accessible public housing, freeze rents, and reduce tax breaks for property investors.

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MICHELE WACHLA

Michele is an accomplished social services professional with a dual background in Social Work and Business, bringing over 18 years of experience to her work. She has developed a deep understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities within Regional, Rural, and Remote (RRR) environments, particularly in South Australia. Michele is a recognised leader, known for her expertise in designing and implementing place-based initiatives that address the complexities of RRR communities. Her work is underpinned by strategic planning, effective resourcing, and a strong focus on policy review and advocacy to ensure that services remain relevant, equitable, and sustainable. Michele’s commitment to community-centred approaches drives meaningful outcomes, nurturing resilience, and growth across regional South Australia.

KHATIJA THOMAS

DAVE ADAMSON

Dave moved to Australia following a 30-year academic career in the UK. He has since worked in the Community Housing sector and authored the 2016 Towards a National Housing Strategy, and helped to establish the Everybody’s Home campaign. He also researches the interface between poverty and climate change and actively supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. He has worked with government at all levels and has experience of policy development and evaluation. He is co-author of Sustainable Places: Addressing Social Inequality and Environmental Crisis (2022, Routledge). In his spare time he plays and builds guitars.

ROHAN FEEGRADE

Rohan is an experienced and forward-thinking CEO, senior executive and board director with demonstrated expertise across the not-for-profit, private and government sectors. Currently CEO of Lutheran Care, he has proven record for creating substantial organisational, stakeholder and client value, and has extensive experience in strategically positioning organisations for transformational change and growth within the health, disability, education and community service sectors. Rohan is a socially responsible professional, genuinely passionate about creating opportunities for people who live with disadvantage and disability, always acting ethically to serve those he works with and for.

JANE MUSSARED

Jane has worked in for purpose and government health and human service settings throughout her career. In June 2024 she returned to SA and joined the Maggie Beer Foundation as CEO following 20 months based in Canberra as an Advisor to the Federal Minister for Health and Aged Care. Previously she was Chief Executive of COTA SA and before that an executive of ACH Group. Jane served on a range of boards and committees prior to moving to Canberra, including the SACOSS Policy Council until 2022, as chair of the South Australian Circus Centre and as a non-Executive Director with the Maggie Beer Foundation.

NANCY PENNA

Nancy has than 30 years of experience in South Australian community services, and a a unique understanding of the political and social landscape and the issues and opportunities facing South Australia. Currently responsible for the strategic and operational oversight of AnglicareSA’s community services portfolio, she has previously held executive roles in government within child protection and disability, with her executive experience underpinned by her earlier career as a social worker in child protection and youth justice. She is also Chair of the Child and Family Focus South Australia (CAFFSA) Board and most recently on the Housing Security for Older Women Taskforce.

NICOLE CHAPLIN

Nicole is a dedicated and experienced youth support professional, specialising in solutions for disadvantaged young people in South Australia. As CEO of St John’s Youth Services, she oversees innovative programs like youth110 and Foyer Port Adelaide. With over thirty years in the community sector, Nicole has built extensive networks and her expertise spans governance, service delivery, policy development, and partnerships. Recognised with the 2018 AHI Inspirational Leader Award, Nicole is an active participant in housing and homelessness networks. She holds leadership roles in various organisations, including Anglicare Australia’s National Reconciliation Network.

EMMA CROSBY

Emma is a chartered Accountant with more than 15 years experience as a board member, finance and business professional, strategic advisor and company secretary. She has strong values and a passion for enabling and leading organisations to meet its operational and strategic direction through long-term financial sustainability, operational efficiency, innovation, leadership, transformation and partnerships. As Treasurer and Board member at SACOSS, she is committed to successfully leading and making a purposeful impact to the organisation and its stakeholders.

David PANTER

David has worked in health and social care for almost 45 years, over half of which has been as a Chief Executive. In the UK he initially worked in the NHS and more latterly in local government, where he was Chief Executive of Brighton & Hove City Council. In 2004 David was recruited to the South Australian public health system for over 10 years leading reforms including the development of the new Royal Adelaide Hospital. From 2015-2022 David was the Chief Executive of not-for-profit aged care provider ECH. At the end of January 2022 David became the Chief Executive at Minda, SA’s largest provider of services to people living with an intellectual disability.