Course
Deconstructing Homelessness
An 8-week program examining the structural causes of homelessness and responses in Australia. Challenging conventional narratives around homelessness policy, funding, research, and service delivery.
What you'll learn
- Understand empathy as a framework for homelessness — and where it falls short
- Examine homelessness from the adversarial perspective used within the sector
- Trace Australia's housing systems from Federation to the present day
- Analyse the economics driving Australia's housing crisis
- Decode the funding dynamics that shape homelessness services
- Critically evaluate Housing First implementation in Western Australia
- Understand the sociology of dehumanisation and fear around homelessness
- Assess proposed pathways for Australia's housing future
Deconstructing Homelessness is a critical inquiry into one of Australia's most misunderstood social issues. Drawing on PhD research and lived experience, this program moves beyond surface-level empathy to examine the systems, economics, and sociology that perpetuate homelessness — and the service structures that sometimes reinforce it.
Each session challenges participants to question assumptions they may hold about homelessness, housing policy, and the organisations tasked with addressing it. This is not a feel-good course — it is an honest, critical examination of a complex system, designed for people who want to understand it deeply.
The program is currently running as a free in-person pilot in Western Australia. An online version is in development.
Who this course is for
- Students studying social work, public policy, psychology, or sociology
- Professionals working in homelessness, housing, or related sectors
- Government staff at local and state level
- Community members with lived experience of or personal connection to homelessness
In-person sessions
Currently running as a free in-person pilot at two locations in Western Australia. Fremantle Library Tuesdays, 4:30–6:30 PM · 17 March to 5 May 2026 Ballajura Library Thursdays, 4:30–6:30 PM · 19 March to 7 May 2026 Participants must attend all 8 sessions at their chosen location. Sessions are not interchangeable between venues or days. There is no monetary cost to attend. To participate you must be able to attend all 8 sessions AND provide critical, detailed feedback after every session.
Course curriculum
8 sessions
Week 1: Homelessness and Empathy
Week 2: Observations from the Adversarial Perspective
Week 3: Managing the Outhouse to the Sh*thouse: Housing Systems from Federation
Week 4: Economics Behind Australia's Current Housing System
Week 5: Low Down on the Flow Down: Homelessness Funding Dynamics in Australia
Week 6: Equity and Agency: A Critical Analysis of Housing First in Western Australia
Week 7: Sociology of Homelessness: Dehumanisation and the Dynamics of Fear
Week 8: Solidifying the System: Australia's Housing Future
What participants say
“This is honest, critical analysis, unconstrained by the typical narratives that dominate discussions about homelessness.”
“Ground breaking work deconstructing systemic homelessness issues.”
“This is something unique and ground breaking. It's a blend of perspectives, of someone that's experienced homelessness, become a phenomenal researcher and teacher, and is using his experiences and skills to dissect the structures that perpetuate homelessness.”
“The more Matt deconstructs homelessness through this course, the more it feels like I can see the wool lifting from my eyes. The evidence has been right there from the start.”
“It was refreshing to see and hear an honest, critical analysis of Housing Policy that didn't adhere to the usual narrative.”