Housing for the Aged Action Group (HAAG), Deakin University and NARI are working together to improve the detection and referral pathways from aged care assessors to specialist housing services for older people at risk of homelessness.

The study involves training aged care assessors in the North-West Health Region of Melbourne in assessing the risk of homelessness and making appropriate referrals to HAAG’s specialist homelessness service.

The program’s impact and client outcomes will be assessed by comparing pre- and post-training referrals to HAAG, and client surveys at baseline, six and 12 months. Qualitative interviews will also be conducted with a sub-sample of clients.

This research has been funded by the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation, City of Melbourne.