MEDIA ALERT, Thursday October 30
Counting the cost of shattered lives - call for productivity probe into homelessness
Australia's homelessness crisis is not just a moral failure, it's economic self-harm costing the nation billions, prompting calls from Homelessness Australia for a Productivity Commission inquiry.
The peak body will make the call for a comprehensive economic probe into homelessness at a Parliamentary Friends of Housing and Homelessness meeting at Parliament House, Canberra, attended by MPs from across the political spectrum.
Productivity and homelessness, parliamentary briefing
- Thursday 30 October, 11am – 12pm
- Senate Committee Room 2S2, Parliament House, Canberra
"The existence of homelessness in one of the world's wealthiest nations is morally repugnant, but we need to confront the stark economic reality: homelessness is also poison to productivity," Kate Colvin, CEO of Homelessness Australia said.
"Every person sleeping rough, every family in temporary accommodation, every young person couch-surfing represents lost productivity, lost education, and lost economic potential. This inquiry would put a proper economic lens on a crisis that's costing us dearly."
The caucus will hear from Productivity Commissioner Dr Angela Jackson, alongside Australians with lived experience of how homelessness has impacted their ability to access education, training, and employment.
Recent research shows homelessness disrupts workforce participation and study, increases healthcare and social service costs, and creates intergenerational impacts on labour force participation. In 2023-24, specialist homelessness services assisted 272,689 Australians with accommodation and other support such as employment and education services. More than one quarter of these people (26.3%) experienced persistent homelessness (more than seven months homeless over two years), which severely limits participation in work and education
Recent research by SGS Economics also makes a compelling economic case. Every dollar invested in youth homelessness prevention yields $2.60 in returns through improved productivity, reduced social costs, and better health outcomes. Failure to address the housing crisis is predicted to cost the Australian economy billions annually by 2051.
"We're calling for this inquiry because decision-makers need to understand that investing in housing solutions isn't just compassionate policy, it’s a compelling return on taxpayer dollars," Colvin said.
"Homelessness prevents people from maintaining employment, forces children to miss school, and traps families in cycles of crisis. The productivity implications are profound and measurable."
Contact: Nick Lucchinelli 0422 229 032