Imagine a world where homelessness and mental illness aren't just ignored but actively addressed with solutions that save lives and money. That world already exists, and it’s tucked away in a quiet corner of Sydney’s inner west. The Bondi Junction inquest has shed light on a groundbreaking recommendation: supported housing for the homeless, particularly those struggling with mental health issues. But here’s the surprising part—this isn’t a new idea. It’s already in action, and it’s called Habilis.
Habilis is a low-rise building that houses 18 formerly homeless individuals, all of whom have access to mental health support services, including a nurse, a psychiatrist, and an overnight caretaker. This model, which has been quietly transforming lives, was explicitly highlighted by NSW Coroner Magistrate Teresa O'Sullivan in her recommendations following the Bondi Junction tragedy. She urged the state government to invest in long-term accommodation for those experiencing homelessness and mental health issues, citing Habilis in NSW and Haven in Victoria as successful examples.
But here’s where it gets controversial: Is society willing to invest in solutions like Habilis, or will we continue to turn a blind eye to the mounting costs of neglect? Professor Olav Nielssen, the founder of Habilis, argues that building more supported housing is not just a moral imperative but an economic one. He points out that the cost of neglecting a homeless person—through unnecessary healthcare, criminal justice involvement, and sanitation expenses—far outweighs the cost of providing them with stable housing and treatment.
Take, for instance, the case of Joel Cauchi, who tragically stabbed 16 people in Bondi Junction, killing six. The inquest revealed that Cauchi was suffering a psychotic relapse of chronic schizophrenia, had been off his medication since 2019, and was homeless, moving between Queensland and NSW. Professor Nielssen emphasizes that homelessness disrupts continuity of care, making it nearly impossible to bring individuals like Cauchi back into treatment. And this is the part most people miss: without a stable address, even the most well-intentioned healthcare system struggles to reach those in need.
Habilis resident David Maddox, who also lives with chronic schizophrenia, shares how living in supported housing has made it easier for him to stay on his medication. Before Habilis, he was in public housing but stopped taking his anti-psychotic medication, leading to an altercation with the police and a stint in jail. Now, with the support of Habilis, he takes Clozapine regularly and feels more calm and in control. Is this a model we should scale up? Or is it too good to be true?
Beyond housing, the inquest also highlighted the need for improved emergency response systems. The coroner praised the rapid response of police and paramedics during the Bondi Junction attack but noted communication issues and triage inefficiencies. One key recommendation was the adoption of the 'Ten Second Triage' tool, a rapid screening system designed to prioritize patients who can be saved. Dr. Philip Cowburn, a UK emergency medicine specialist who helped develop the tool, explained how it could have prevented some of the chaos seen at the Westfield shopping centre, where patients were repeatedly triaged due to a lack of clear tagging.
But here’s the question that lingers: If we know these solutions work—whether it’s supported housing or better emergency triage—why aren’t they already the standard? Is it a matter of funding, awareness, or political will? The Bondi Junction inquest has laid bare the gaps in our systems, but it’s up to us to demand change. What do you think? Are we doing enough to address homelessness and mental health, or is it time to rethink our approach entirely? Let’s start the conversation.
