Increase in number of people who had access to a program with an embedded health service
This measure shows how many people accessed programs that integrate health and housing supports. It reflects the level of access to a joined-up response where health needs are addressed alongside housing challenges. Integrated services can be transformational, improving wellbeing, stability, and long-term outcomes.
Summary
On-site nurses at Elizabeth Street Common Ground delivered 1,620 health interventions. Our Alcohol and Other Drugs program has grown significantly, with client numbers increasing almost tenfold over five years through expanded investment in harm minimisation.
Over the last 12 months, 2,221 clients accessed a program with an embedded health service
Of these, 37% were women and 15% were First Nations clients, highlighting the reach of health supports across cohorts.
At Southbank Crisis Accommodation, community health nurses provided 2,338 instances of support to 215 clients, including treatment of acute health issues or injuries (12%) and support with sexual health, pregnancy, and family planning (3%). Meanwhile, at Elizabeth Street Common Ground, 1,620 health interventions were delivered by on-site nurses.
Clinical support continued to be delivered in partnership with St Vincent’s Health through the Better Health and Housing Program, recognising their role as a key health service delivery partner rather than a subcontracted provider.
‘I’ve finally found myself back in the workforce. I’ll be debt free in about three weeks.’
For Jade and Anjie, housing has meant safety and stability. The turning point was receiving integrated, trauma-informed care, where health, wellbeing and dignity were addressed alongside housing.
Our continued emphasis on integrated services comes from a recognition of the importance of a Housing First approach, which holds that safe and stable housing is essential for recovery, wellbeing, and access to care. This journey map shows how sustained housing outcomes can be achieved through a Housing First approach that integrates health services into our broader response.
Embedding health supports within housing programs reflects the understanding that many health conditions are both causes and consequences of homelessness, and that housing provides the stability needed to engage meaningfully with care and improve health outcomes.
Over the last five years, our harm minimisation approach has enabled long-term recovery and stability
Our harm minimisation approach is saving lives
We have embedded harm minimisation at the core of our practice. It is not an add-on, but a deliberate part of program design. This is because we meet people where they are at. Clients do not have to be ‘clean’ or treatment-ready to access housing or supports.
A harm minimisation approach is at the centre of our Alcohol and Other Drugs Program, which has expanded dramatically, from 25 clients in 2021 to 268 in 2025 — a 972% increase over five years. Our data suggests that this growth is driven by strong partnerships in crisis support accommodation, increased philanthropic funding, increased government funding and Launch Housing’s deliberate focus and investment in harm minimisation.
Embedding Alcohol and Other Drugs clinicians and health supports directly into housing and outreach programs such as the Rough Sleeper Initiative reduces barriers to care. People do not need to navigate mainstream health systems, which often exclude or stigmatise them.
Stable client numbers reflect the funding available, not stable demand
Over the last three years, the number of clients who accessed a program with an embedded health service remained steady at around 2,200 clients annually.
The fact that client numbers have remained stable in some of Launch Housing’s programs does not mean demand has plateaued. What it really shows is the limit of our current funding parameters. We can only support as many people as the resources allow and, right now, those resources have not grown in line with community need.
Unmet demand is not currently captured in our impact reporting data. Moving forward, we are looking for better ways to capture and demonstrate demand for our services. This could include proxy data, like the number of unassisted requests (e.g. Private Rental Assistance Program contacts) to illustrate where there is unmet demand.
Impact stories
Client journey
Health and housing support for First Nations peoples
