Increasing our understanding of homeless men: The Michael Project

'The Michael Project' Snapshot Report - August 2010

In 2008, the Australian Government set out a national approach to reducing homelessness, with targets of halving homelessness and offering supported accommodation to all those sleeping rough who need it by 2020 (Commonwealth of Australia, 2008). Despite the scale of the issue and the targets set, there is much that is not yet known about people who are homeless. Filling in knowledge gaps in areas such as the length of time people may have been homeless, the prevalence of drug dependence and the extent of trauma experienced, will help ensure policies and practice are tailored appropriately and thus most likely to contribute to achieving the targets set.

This publication reports on findings from new research into a nationally significant service innovation, The Michael Project, and adds to the body of evidence policy makers and practitioners can draw on.