What stops you from becoming homeless? 2026 Australian Homelessness Conference with Natasha Mitchell and guests

What will stop you slipping into homelessness? In a cost-of-living crisis, it's getting harder to keep a secure roof over your head. And did you know that 14% of people accessing specialist homelessness services in Australia are unaccompanied children? That's thousands of children, homeless, alone. A conversation about what kind of community we want to create together, and how to prevent a crisis before it comes. Join Big Ideas host Natasha Mitchell and guests at the 2026 Australian Homelessness Conference on Larrakia Country in Darwin. 

Speakers

Professor Kerry ArabenaDescendant of the Meriam people from the Torres StraitManaging Director, Karabena ConsultingFormer co-Chair of the National Congress of Australia's First Peoples, Executive Director of Apunipima Cape York Health Council, and Chair of Indigenous Health at the University of Melbourne. Former president of Ecohealth International.

Rebecca PinkstoneChief Executive, Homes NSW, NSW GovernmentNon-executive director, Australian Housing and Urban Research InstituteFormer CEO of a social housing provider

Catherine RobinsonAssociate Professor in Communities and Social Justice, University of TasmaniaNon-executive board director of Homelessness Australia, the Youth Network of Tasmania and Home Base. Co-host, Filthy Rich and Homeless on SBS TV

Further information

Reimagining Indigenous Housing, Health, and Wealth report (2020)

Example: Denver Basic Income Project (Example of unconditional cash transfers approach)

Example: Community of Schools and Services (COSS) model

Example: Safe and Connected Youth Program (ACT Conflict Resolution Service)

Example: Housing stabilisation initiative (Canada)

Better futures: Supported accommodation for unaccompanied children and young people experiencing homelessness (AHURI, 2026)Yes, we see you. Why a national plan for homelessness must make thousands of children on their own a priority (The Conversation, 2023)NSW Homelessness Strategy 2025-2035NSW Homelessness Strategy Action plan 2025-2027

Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute (AHURI) (organises the biennial Australian Homelessness Conference and National Housing Conference).