Transforming Lives: Assessing the Impact of the Together Home Program
Emma Barnes explores the Together Home program's success in NSW, revealing how stable housing and personalised support offer a new route to improving lives and fostering wellbeing among the homeless.
In response to the onset of COVID-19 in Australia, the New South Wales Government committed $36.1 million in 2020 to establish the Together Home program. The program, grounded in the principles of Housing First, prioritises placing individuals into independent and stable housing as quickly as possible, with tailored support services provided by a case worker for two years. Through partnerships with various housing organisations, the Together Home program has been delivered throughout New South Wales, offering hope and stability to those in need.
The Together Home program has housed 1092 people in NSW since June 2020, in the Sydney region which includes Sydney, South-Eastern Sydney and Northern Sydney, of the program has housed a total of 380 clients. These individuals have not only found shelter but have also experienced improvements in various aspects of their lives.
An evaluation of the program conducted by the Centre for Social Impact at UNSW has demonstrated, increased housing retention with an impressive 85.8% of clients remain in stable housing, increased housing satisfaction and increased in feelings of safety. The program has succeeded in providing a secure environment for its clients, particularly women who have experienced domestic violence.
There were also improved in health and wellbeing, a notable 64% of survey respondents indicated improvements in their health since being housed under the program. Mental health improvements were particularly prominent, with participants describing significant enhancements in their well-being, attributed to feelings of safety and stability. There were also substantial increases in clients’ subject well-being.
Quality of Life occurred with participants reported experiencing a newfound sense of control, independence, and freedom in their lives since being housed. Many described engaging in everyday activities such as cooking meals and watching television, contributing to improved quality of life and mental well-being. With one interviewee describing how moving into their own place had “brought me back to being human” – highlighting the importance of having safe, stable and secure housing.
The evaluation also found Improved relationships and social connections. The program has fostered improvements in relationships, especially among parents and children. Participants reported stronger family bonds and increased social engagement, indicating a positive shift towards greater social inclusion.
Two stories same positive outcomes
A male who is Indigenous and had experience episodes of homelessness since the age of 12. While experiencing homelessness drug addiction and incarceration, since gaining stable housing through the Together Home program he has been working full time and regained custody of his children:
I have been in and out of jail since I was 18. I haven’t been incarcerated now for two or three years. I’ve been drug-free now… August this year will be two years. I’m working full time. I’ve got my family back together. I get my kids every weekend. I’m living next to normal life. I suppose you could say without the Together Home program, I don’t think I would be where I am today, if it wasn’t for their help with housing, and the guidance of having a case worker.
The second story is of a woman who had become homelessness due to domestic violence. Since being housed, she has regained custody of her children and resumed studying at university. This story particularly highlights the importance of having safe place to call home:
So the Together Home Program gave me some stability and structure, but most of all they gave me somewhere safe of my own to live, which was amazing. It changed my life. It changed a lot of my life. It gave me the ability to study again; just do the basic things in life like go shopping on my own, get my groceries, pay my bills, do all my electricity and gas and do my own cleaning of my own house…and it was my own safe place to live. I hadn't had that at all. With no outside influences, no influences from violent men; it was just me on my own and I had somewhere safe…. It’s given me space of my own that's safe and I can be independent as a woman. I don't have to be in a relationship with a man to have somewhere to live.
The findings from CSI’s evaluation highlight the tremendous success of the Together Home program in providing stable housing and improving the lives of individuals experiencing homelessness. It underscores the importance of housing as a fundamental human right and the transformative impact Housing First programs can have on individuals.
What needs to be done to continue the success of the program?
More funding – the obvious answer to most social programs!
The Together Home program is due run out of funding in June 2024 and there is a lack of certainty over the future of the program. There also needs to be an increase in social housing stock to be able to deliver more stable and cost-effective living arrangements for clients.
CSI’s evaluation has demonstrated the positive outcomes achieved by this Housing First program and with the rising rates of homelessness and more people on the verge of becoming homeless due to increasing rents and housing stress, ensuring people stay housed is a must.
“there’s no better feeling than having a secure place to call your home.”
Emma Barnes works for the Center for Social Impact, UNSW. Her work aims to identify evidence-based solutions to ending homelessness and improving housing security for underprivileged communities across Australia.