Port Adelaide Enfield will be the focus of South Australia’s second Zero Project, seeking to end rough sleeping homelessness across the community.

The Port Adelaide Enfield Zero Project (PAEZP), a collaboration between the state government, Adelaide North West Homelessness Alliance, Port Adelaide Enfield City Council and the South Australian Alliance to End Homelessness, will complement the existing Adelaide Zero Project which commenced in 2018.

Current estimates suggest there are, on average, between 30 and 40 people sleeping rough across the Port Adelaide Enfield community.

The Zero Project framework is data-informed and uses “By Name Lists” to allow a community to know exactly who is experiencing homelessness in real time. This helps to understand the flows into and out of homelessness and to better coordinate service responses, including improved housing and support outcomes.

The “By Name Lists” also support communities to plan for and track progress toward ending homelessness.

Across Australia there are more than 25 communities using a similar framework to end homelessness.

The Adelaide Zero Project, with support from the City of Adelaide and SA Housing Trust, became the first Australian community to use this framework to count down to the goal of ending homelessness.

There are between 150 and 200 people sleeping rough in and around the Adelaide CBD on any given night but this group – and the needs of the people within it – is always changing.

Since its launch in 2018, the Adelaide Zero Project has identified more than 2100 people sleeping rough in the inner city. More than half (1100) have been housed over that period with around 90% sustaining their home or not returning to rough sleeping in the city. Understanding and responding to individual needs along with coordinating a range of different support services is critical in breaking damaging cycles of homelessness.

The new Zero Project draws on similar concepts but has a firm focus on the needs of those rough sleeping within the Port Adelaide Enfield community. This focus will enable a community-driven response with key local stakeholders and partners.

It operates a critical service coordination function that includes homelessness, housing and other support providers such as SA Health, Mental Health and Corrections.

Decisions about housing and support needs are made by the collective group fortnightly, better matching the individual housing, support and location needs of local rough sleepers.

Attributable to Nat Cook

Ending homelessness, starting with rough sleepers, is absolutely achievable.

Port Adelaide Enfield Council and the Adelaide North West Homelessness Alliance advocated for the next Zero Project to be set up in the Port Adelaide Enfield community and I look forward to seeing the impact of the project in this area over the coming months.

Through the Zero Project, we are using an evidence-based approach to match the housing and support needs of individuals sleeping rough through effective collaboration, assertive outreach and sustainable housing and case management services.

Attributable to Orla Matthews, Alliance Senior Manager, Adelaide North West Homelessness Alliance

The realisation of the Port Adelaide Enfield Zero project has been enabled by the commitment from key stakeholders to a shared goal.

Together, we aim to ensure the needs of rough sleepers in the City of Port Adelaide Enfield are visible, addressed and that outcomes are sustained.

It is a privilege to walk alongside our clients, our teams and our partners as we work towards the goal of ending homelessness in City of Port Adelaide.

Attributable to Claire Boan, Mayor, Port Adelaide Enfield Council

The City of Port Adelaide Enfield is committed to supporting wellbeing for the whole community. The Council recognises that homelessness has a significant impact on the community and because of this we are excited to be part of this initiative to end homelessness in Port Adelaide Enfield.

The PAE Zero Project creates real mechanisms for supporting marginalised members of the community, with different organisations coming together for the common goal of ending homelessness.

Media contact: Sarah Kolar 0422 982 129