Homelessness Health Forum Showcases Integrated Approaches and Innovation

On 26 to 27 August, Adelaide PHN's Phoebe Lawson attended the Homelessness Health Forum in Canberra, hosted by the Australian Health, Housing & Homelessness Network, Central and Eastern Sydney PHN (CESPHN), and the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing.

Over two days, leaders and practitioners from across the health, housing and homelessness sectors came together to share innovative projects, successful national and international models, and opportunities for greater collaboration.

A highlight of the event was the release of the CESPHN-pioneered Homelessness Health Framework, providing a critical foundation for how Primary Health Networks can work to improve health outcomes for people experiencing homelessness.

Key themes included the importance of integrated approaches, the role of data in driving better outcomes, and how emerging tools such as AI could shape the future of service delivery.

With representation from 24 PHNs, the forum provided a valuable platform to explore new commissioning models and strengthen connections across the sector.

"It was inspiring to hear the breadth of work underway and the shared commitment to improving outcomes for people experiencing homelessness," Phoebe said.

"I'm grateful for the opportunity to learn from so many dedicated colleagues and look forward to continuing these conversations and returning next year."

Photo: Alex Lebret (Australian Alliance to End Homelessness), Phoebe Lawson (Adelaide PHN), and Courtney Stribley (Country SA PHN).