All challenges

Homelessness Innovation Fund

NSW2024–2028

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Total fund

$100M

Fund allocations

$25M

70 projects · 40 completed$75M uncommitted

Temporary Accommodation

Reduce the cost of temporary accommodation

Emergency accommodation in low-cost hotels, motels, caravan parks, boarding houses and similar accommodation for people who are experiencing a housing crisis or homelessness is expensive.

Average nightly rate — single person (regional NSW)

$165

Average nightly rate — single person (metro NSW)

$185

Average nightly rate — family of 4 or fewer

$210

Average nightly rate — family of more than 4

$245

Annual cost of hotels and crisis accommodation

$458,000,000

Reduce the length of stay in temporary accommodation

Temporary accommodation is designed to meet a gap in the service system by providing a short-term accommodation response for people without complex needs while they arrange more suitable longer-term accommodation.

Average number of nights in temporary accommodation

27 nights

Reduce the need for repeat stays in temporary accommodation

Share of clients with a prior stay in temporary accommodation

0.33

Services and Systemic Reform

Increase access to support

Experimental

Support services for those with complex needs are fragmented. The 10 year Homelessness strategy aims to improve that coordination. With better support, the pathway to permanent housing might improve.

Two-way pathway analysis

Risk uplift

Cost difference

Coverage

Encourage flexible use of properties and services

Experimental

In anticipation of reduced demand for temporary accommodation, flexible use is identified as a value. No data that informs a timeline to having supply in excess of capacity has been provided. The Homelessness Action Plan for 2025-27 says that it will use demountable buildings on vacant properties to improve supply of temporary accommodation.

Attract co-contributions

Experimental

Contributions from those in the housing sector of any kind, including case management support, land, properties, cash/equity, debt, tax concessions, philanthropic donations, reduced or avoided costs, or in-kind contributions are sought. The value and quantum of those contributions form part of the assessment profile for applications to the fund. An innovation fund should catalyse transformation and unlock solutions. If this fund can harness assets, then this assessment criteria has merit. It may also discourage upstarts who do not have existing resources.

Transform current accommodation and/or service responses

Experimental

The goal is to accommodate more people, and to give them better housing outcomes. Cohort specific programs, different approaches for those with complex needs, cultural sensitivity, and improved methods of triage are ways that services could be improved.

Test new service delivery approaches

Experimental

In-action research to support homelessness services find improved solutions. The scale of the problem is significant. Resources are constrained. New solutions are needed.

Adapt to changing need and demand for services

Experimental

Increase the flexibility of assets and supports so they can better respond to client needs. No rationale has been provided.