Homelessness is not inevitable, but universally understood as the product of political choices. While Shelter NSW knows this more than most, it is always a powerful reminder to hear about this and engage with others working towards changing it.

This month, Shelter NSW team, including John Engeler (Chief Executive Officer), Stacey Miers (Principal Project Officer) and Thomas Chailloux (Senior Policy Officer), were pleased to attend this year’s Homelessness NSW Conference, held from 10 to 12 March in Wollongong. The conference brought together service providers, policymakers, researchers and people with lived experience of homelessness and/or housing insecurity to share knowledge and strengthen responses to homelessness across NSW, including through systemic change.

Across the three days, the program struck a strong balance between frontline practice and system reform, reflecting the conference theme of strengthening services while driving long term change. Sessions explored housing justice, gender-based violence, the impact of climate change on people experiencing homelessness, and how to best use and integrate lived experience leadership into practice and policy.

The keynote speakers were a clear highlight, elevating Homelessness NSW conference to a powerful and inspiring moment. Leilani Farha – the ex-United Nations Special Rapporteur on the right to adequate housing – (now CEO of The Shift Project) opened with a powerful reminder that housing is a human right and that homelessness is tied intimately to the financialisation of housing and growing wealth and income inequality. International expert Juha Kaakinen, known for his contributions to ending homelessness in Finland, shared how a sustained, system wide commitment to Housing First and coordinated support services has reduced long term homelessness close to functionally zero. This reinforced our deeply held belief that ending homelessness is possible, with the right settings and political will.

Matt Downie from Crisis UK, brought a campaigning perspective to the conference, speaking about how changing the narrative and choosing the right frame are key to move members of parliament and other senior decision makers towards at scale, meaningful action.

Beyond the formal sessions, the conference was a valuable opportunity to connect with colleagues across the sector. Conversations throughout the event reinforced the importance of how we talk about homelessness, not just as a crisis, but as a solvable issue that requires sustained action, investment and coordination.

In the policy world, there are many – sometimes too many – conferences across the calendar, but we can say confidently that this one stood out. Now is the time to make the best of the real sense of momentum and shared purpose Shelter NSW – and no doubt many others – found at the conference.

Homelessness NSW’s new campaign, A Place to Call Home, calls for bold government action to address generational chronic underinvestment in homelessness services and housing, and to ensure people have both a home and the support needed to keep it.

This is a crucial ask, and Shelter NSW encourages our members and friends to get involved and add their voice by signing the petition. Together, we can change the status quo and push for the investment and reform needed to make homelessness rare, brief and non-recurring in NSW and across Australia.