Why is the private sector involved in this project? Isn't homelessness the responsibility of government?
Homelessness can’t be solved by government alone. Working with the private sector can unlock resources and influence to drive change. All sectors and all Australians will benefit from solving homelessness.
We've heard these ideas before, how is this different?
There is so much research and evidence that already exists but it needs to be turned into practice. The Constellation Project is focused on accelerating practicable solutions to end homelessness.
How is this different from other collaborative efforts in homelessness?
We bring together the private sector, not-for-profit, academia, government and philanthropy. The project is supported by a dedicated backbone team funded by the founding members. This team drives the work.
How are decisions made about the focus and work of the Constellation Project?
The Governance Group sets the strategy for The Constellation Project as a whole. The group consists of one representative from each founding member, plus a First Nations representative and an independent chair. Our collaborative process ensures that decisions on where we focus time and effort comes from individual participants who are contributing to the work. Most importantly, we are guided by evidence and lived experience.
Why are you choosing to focus on 'More Homes' first?
We believe in a housing first approach. In Australia there is a chronic shortage of housing that is affordable to people on very low – moderate incomes. Unless we increase supply of this housing, we will continue to be dependant on short term responses.
What will Constellation actually produce? Will it build any new homes?
We are producing co-designed, tested and refined solutions that will build new homes for people on very low to moderate incomes. These may include financial models, tax structures, zoning and planning concepts among other things.
How are you making sure the right voices are in the room to address this issue?
If we don’t have the right voice in the room, we go find it. We use the reach of our growing network to ensure that we have the right mix of experience, expertise and energy to create change.
Where is the money from the founding organisations going?
The funding is used to help resource the project. This includes a fully funded executive team of 5 people who drive the project and do the day-to-day work of The Constellation Project.
How do you ensure this work doesn't divert philanthropic and corporate funding from frontline services? Why don't the founding organisations just give their money and expertise directly to the homelessness sector and services that are needed?
Funders have different motivations and outcomes and fund project accordingly – investing in systems change and collaboration is a different choice to investing in frontline services.
Glossary of Terms
Homelessness
The Constellation Project follows the The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) definition of homelessness. The ABS states that when a person does not have suitable accommodation alternatives they are considered homeless if their current living arrangement: is in a dwelling that is inadequate has no tenure, or if their initial tenure is short and not extendable does not allow them to have control of, and access to space for social relations. For The Constellation Project this includes severe overcrowding and people who are couch surfing for substantial periods of time.
Low incomes
Includes low to moderate income households. Low income is household in the bottom 20 per cent of all household income distribution and moderate household with income in the second income quintile (21–40%) of all household income distribution.
Affordable housing
A dwelling available through a housing assistance program that provides for a specified level of below market rent price (e.g. public housing, community housing, National Rental Affordability Scheme, shared equity scheme for home ownership).
Social housing
Rental housing that is provided and/or managed by government or non-government organisations, including public and community housing.
Community housing
Housing that is managed and sometimes owned by a not-for-profit organisation.
Mandatory Inclusionary Zoning (MIZ)
Requires that a number of affordable homes are included in developments as a condition of planning approval.