Constellation was formed in 2018 through a collaboration between the Australian Red Cross, the Centre for Social Impact, Mission Australia, and PwC Australia, and a shared belief that by working together and combining knowledge, resources, networks, and influence, there is a better chance of driving action on homelessness. A small team from the founding organisations was formed to drive the work forward. Since formation, Constellation has experienced significant growth and evolution. In 2021, we became a registered charity and shifted from being governed by a governance group to having a dedicated board of directors. We have developed expertise in convening cross-sector stakeholders and lived experienced inclusion, which has guided our direction and role in addressing homelessness.

Constellation consists of a very small team of secondees from founding organisations that creates a dedicated backbone that drives the work. We receive philanthropic and corporate funding to cover operational costs. We also rely on the support and expertise of a national network of people and organisations that share our vision.

The board sets the strategy for Constellation as a whole. Our collaborative process ensures that decisions on where we focus time and effort comes from a broad range of individual participants who are contributing to the work. We take care not to duplicate where others working. Most importantly, we are guided by evidence and lived experience.

Constellation is focused on convening and accelerating systems change and solutions to homelessness. We bring together business, not-for-profit, academia, government and philanthropy, with lived experience and First Nations perspectives at the core of our work. The project is supported by a dedicated backbone team that drives the work.

Constellation has refined its inclusion of lived experience over the years including through research, and has now developed a framework to guide this. We have a dedicated role on the executive team for someone with lived experience of homelessness as well as an identified board role. We recruit people with lived experience relevant to the work we are progressing, utilising our networks and service providers. People are paid for their time and offered tailored support to participate.

First Nations knowledge and perspectives are critical to achieving Constellation’s vision, as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are overrepresented amongst Australia’s homeless population. We have utilised a First Nations Leadership Team to provide oversight of Constellation’s work and ensure the project is informed by, and inclusive of, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives. We also co-design with First Nations people to progress solutions that are specifically targeted to First Nations housing need and all First Nations projects are led by First Nations people.

We are producing co-designed, tested and refined solutions. These will increase the supply of new homes for people on very low to moderate incomes, and create conditions where people can avoid experiencing homelessness or be supported to rapidly exit homelessness. They include financial models, tax structures, zoning and planning concepts, and service and policy recommendations, among other things.

Each project plays a crucial role in contributing to the larger goal of ending homelessness. Constellation’s overarching strategy is centred around two key components: increasing the supply of new homes for people on very low to moderate incomes, and designing pathways so people can avoid experiencing homelessness or be supported to rapidly exit. We strategically place our efforts where we can make the most impact, focusing on areas where there may be gaps or where we can play a role in accelerating evidence-based solutions to homelessness.

Constellation has developed a demonstrable moments of influence framework to measure our impact. It identifies where Constellation plans to contribute to ending homelessness, and the specific areas we are working on that are essential to achieving this. Success can look like a pilot project developed by Constellation being funded, delivered and evaluated, or a government adopting our recommendations. 

Homelessness can’t be solved by governments alone. Working with the private sector can unlock resources and influence to drive change. All sectors and all Australians will benefit from solving homelessness.

There is a housing emergency in Australia. Until we dramatically increase the supply of housing, we will not be able to end homelessness.

There is so much research, evidence and promising practice that already exists but it needs to be turned into action or implemented at scale. Constellation is focused on accelerating solutions to end homelessness, and offering the backbone support that is strongly needed to do so.