Terms of Reference

The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs will inquire into and report on homelessness in Australia. The inquiry will have particular regard to:

1.   the incidence of homelessness in Australia;
2.   factors affecting the incidence of homelessness, including housing-market factors;
3.   the causes of, and contributing factors to, housing overcrowding;
4.   opportunities for early intervention and prevention of homelessness;
5.   services to support people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, including housing assistance, social housing, and specialist homelessness services;
6.   support and services for people at particular risk of homelessness, including:

         a.  women and children affected by family and domestic violence;
         b.  children and young people;
         c.  Indigenous Australians;
         d.  people experiencing repeat homelessness;
         e.  people exiting institutions and other care arrangements;
         f.  people aged 55 or older;
         g. people living with disability;  and
         h. people living with mental illness;

7.   the suitability of mainstream services for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness;
8.   examples of best-practice approaches in Australia and internationally for preventing and addressing homelessness;
9.   the adequacy of the collection and publication of housing, homelessness, and housing affordability related data;  and
10. governance and funding arrangements in relation to housing and homelessness, particularly as they relate to the responsibility of Local, State, Territory and Federal Governments.

Committee Secretariat contact:

Committee Secretary
House of Representatives Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs
PO Box 6021
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600

Phone: +61 2 6277 2358
spla.reps@aph.gov.au