Adelaide Program Maps Rough Sleeper Locations

Why this is here: David, a former rough sleeper, spent about eight years on the streets before securing public housing in 2024 with help from the Hutt St Centre and the Adelaide Zero Project.

In Adelaide, Australia, the Toward Home Alliance team uses a website called Street Connect to locate and assist people sleeping rough. Locals report sightings by dropping pins on an online map, prompting outreach workers to provide water, first aid, and assess needs. The team covers the city in a grid pattern, prioritizing areas with reported sightings.

Outreach workers check each reported location within 12 hours, though emergency services should be contacted for critical situations. Shaya Nettle, Toward Home’s senior manager, emphasizes respecting the privacy of those living in tents while still offering a check-in. Many rough sleepers feel invisible, and even simple acknowledgment—eye contact or a greeting—can be important.

Roughly 200 people are currently sleeping rough in Adelaide’s CBD and North Adelaide. David, a former rough sleeper now in public housing, volunteers to help others access resources.

While programs like Street Connect offer support, systemic issues like a competitive rental market and insufficient housing options continue to create challenges. The work of providing housing and support continues.