South Australia’s Aspire Program, a long-running initiative delivered by the Hutt St Centre to support people experiencing chronic homelessness, is facing closure as government funding winds down. The program will begin shutting its doors from mid-December, despite saving the state more than $40 million and reducing hospital admissions by more than 6,000 nights since its inception.
This year alone, client intake numbers have been cut by more than half, with the program expecting to cease taking on new participants altogether after the 2025-26 financial year. The looming shutdown places significant pressure on the wider homelessness system, which is already experiencing growing demand.
Hutt St Centre CEO Chris Burns said the program has delivered life-changing outcomes and delivered major savings across the health and justice systems through its integrated, long-term support model. “Aspire has helped hundreds of people break the cycle of homelessness,” Mr Burns said. He noted that the program’s close connection to the Hutt St Centre’s Wellbeing Centre has allowed participants to access health services, social activities, housing support and essential services in one place, helping them move from crisis to stability.
Mr Burns said demand for support is rising sharply amid the state’s ongoing housing crisis. The Wellbeing Centre recorded 42,975 visitations in the 2024-25 financial year, up from 40,504 the year before, with an average of 826 people seeking support each week. “We have never turned away anyone seeking a meal, a hot shower, or support, but continuing this could become challenging without adequate resources,” he said.
The program, backed by a Social Impact Bond and evaluated independently by Social Ventures Australia, consistently outperformed its targets across its seven-year lifespan. Aspire also maintained a tenancy retention rate of 86 percent, significantly higher than most comparable homelessness interventions.
Despite its strong record, the end of the program is expected to push more people into an already stretched system. Without Aspire’s specialised long-term approach, other frontline services may struggle to meet the complex needs of clients who would otherwise have received tailored support through the program.
The human impact of the program’s closure is already clear. Luke, a former AFL player who battled alcohol and gambling addictions, said working with Aspire changed the course of his life. “This program has saved my life. I finally feel like I have someone in my corner,” he said. He is now in stable housing and continuing counselling, rebuilding his life with renewed confidence.
As the State Government undertakes a review of homelessness services, advocates say the proven results of Aspire should form a strong case for continued or increased investment in programs that reduce pressure on hospitals, the justice system and emergency services. Without renewed funding, the future is uncertain for the hundreds of South Australians who rely on the Hutt St Centre each week for safety, stability and essential support.
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