Funded through the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Targeted Call for Research (TCR) Homelessness and Health 2025 grant opportunity, the project is led by Professor Suzanne Nielsen and colleagues at Monash University, Monash Addiction Research Centre. It brings together researchers, healthcare providers, housing services and people with lived experience to evaluate current models of care, co-design new approaches with communities and strengthen integration between the health, housing and homelessness sectors. 

The research will examine how outreach models of primary care can better meet the needs of people experiencing homelessness, helping to improve health outcomes, reduce fragmentation of care and inform more responsive, equitable healthcare systems. 

As a project partner, SEMPHN will contribute its expertise in primary health care planning, partnership development and health system improvement. The organisation will support the project through governance, collaboration and knowledge sharing to help translate research into practical improvements across the health system. 

SEMPHN Executive Director, Data, Evidence and Impact Services, Dr Galina Daraganova, said the project reflects the value of collaboration in addressing complex health challenges. 

"People experiencing homelessness often face significant barriers to accessing healthcare. By bringing together researchers, healthcare providers, housing services and people with lived experience, this project will help build the evidence needed to strengthen outreach models of care and improve how services work together. SEMPHN is proud to contribute to research that has the potential to improve health equity and health outcomes, both locally and nationally."

The project aligns with SEMPHN's commitment to strengthening primary health care through evidence, partnership and innovation. It also reflects the organisation's role in bringing together health professionals, service providers, communities and researchers to improve the way care is planned and delivered. 

SEMPHN congratulates all project partners, on securing this important national funding. 

As National Homelessness Week shines a spotlight on the health and wellbeing of people experiencing homelessness, SEMPHN looks forward to working alongside its partners to generate evidence that supports more connected, responsive and effective healthcare for those who need it most.