Zero Project: Housing First Coordination for WA
The Centre for Social Impact UWA was a key research partner on the Zero Project (previously known as the 50 Lives 50 Homes project).
Led by Ruah Community Services , the project adopts a ‘Housing First’ model - an internationally evidenced model that uses a recovery-oriented approach to end homelessness in WA, including rapid access to housing and wrap-around support.
The collective impact approach of Zero Project towards ending homelessness builds on the success of the innovative 50 Lives 50 Homes project, working with communities across the Perth metropolitan area, Geraldton, Mandurah, Bunbury and Rockingham.
The Zero Project employs an Advance to Zero methodology that counts down the number of people needing housing, as opposed to counting the number of people housed.
First Evaluation Report
The first research study (June 2017) showed how long term homelessness is associated with high levels of health problems, trauma and disability. Within its first year, the Zero Project housed 42 individuals and 8 families.
Second Evaluation Report
The second research report (September 2018) described the progress of the Zero Project in relation to housing, health and justice outcomes. Administrative hospital and police data was used to look at preliminary changes in contacts with these sectors once clients had been housed for 6 or 12 months.
Third Evaluation Report
The third evaluation report (April 2020) provided an in-depth examination of housing outcomes and tenancy retention, and reported on changes in hospital use (emergency department, inpatient admissions and ambulance use) for eight Perth metropolitan hospitals and justice system contacts (WA Police Force contacts and court appearances) for those people housed for one year or more and for a smaller cohort of those housed for two or more years.
Evaluation Snapshot: Aboriginal Experiences of Housing First
Launched in May 2021, Aboriginal Experiences of Housing First found that wait times differed significantly between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal rough sleepers. The report makes several recommendations to improve the way in which housing providers engaged with Aboriginal tenants and potential tenants, including the employment of more Aboriginal support workers and an increase in larger homes to accommodate family obligations.
Evaluation Snapshot: Youth Experiences of Housing First
Launched in October 2021, Youth Experiences of Housing First found that it was quicker for young people to be housed via the Priority Housing List, but longer to be housed compared to adults overall. The report makes several recommendations for the future development of the Housing First for Youth (HF4Y) model for Australia and reflects the need for housing choice, that young people don’t necessarily want a 'forever home', and the necessity of embedding trauma informed practice into care.
The Value of After-Hours Support: A Housing First Response to Ending Homelessness
Launched in December 2021, The value of after-hours support as a part of a Housing First response to ending homelessness, was released. This snapshot report describes the invaluable service that the After Hours Support Service (AHSS) has provided to people recently housed through Housing First.
Final Evaluation Report
Launched in May 2022 by The Hon John Carey MLA, Minister for Housing, Lands and Homelessness, the Zero Project's Final Evaluation Report provides an overview of the learnings, challenges and recommendations of implementing a Housing First response in Perth, WA.
Reflecting one of the longest Housing First evaluation initiatives internationally, the report also provides an in-depth examination of housing outcomes and tenancy retention over five years, and reports on changes in hospital use (emergency department, inpatient admissions and ambulance use) across Perth metropolitan hospitals and justice system contacts (WA Police Force contacts and court appearances) for people housed for one-, two-, three- and four- years.