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.