Families in Queensland are facing unprecedented challenges in accessing secure and affordable housing. The number of families with children presenting to specialist homelessness services is now at record levels. In the context of this ongoing housing crisis, and the growing number of families and children experiencing or at risk of homelessness, it is critical to implement effective policy and program responses that support positive outcomes for families.
Micah Projects has contributed to a research project led by the University of Queensland examining the Immediate Housing Response for Families (IHRF), with a particular focus on families accommodated in motels. The research aimed to understand how the IHRF operates in practice, as well as the experiences and outcomes of families participating in the program. Given the sustained pressure on the housing system, it is both timely and important to assess how the IHRF is functioning and the impact it is having on families.
The research focuses on four key areas:
- Pathways: How families enter, move through, and exit the IHRF
- Experiences: How families experience their time in IHRF accommodation
- Delivery: How Micah Projects delivers the IHRF model in practice
- Enhancement: How the IHRF model could be strengthened in the future
This report presents the findings of this study, which was conducted to build critical empirical evidence about Queensland’s primary response to family homelessness - the Immediate Housing Response for Families (IHRF) - as delivered by Micah Projects. The study examines both program delivery and the experiences and outcomes of participating families, and identifies opportunities to reimagine the system and improve the effectiveness of the IHRF model.