Commissioning of homelessness services 2026

Homes NSW is collaborating with the sector, peak bodies, and other stakeholders in regards to commissioning of the NSW homelessness service system in 2026, which includes Specialist Homelessness Services (SHS) and related programs.

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Homelessness services commissioning 2026

Homes NSW continues to work with the sector, peak bodies and other stakeholders in regard to the commissioning of the NSW homelessness service system in 2026, including the Specialist Homelessness Services (SHS) program and associated homelessness programs.

Homelessness commissioning will be guided by the NSW Homelessness Strategy 2025-2035, which sets new directions to build the capacity of the NSW service system to prevent and respond to homelessness over the next 10 years. The 2026 and 2031 commissioning processes are important opportunities for progressing these directions. Additionally, the Homes for NSW Strategy  is an important driver of system reform over the next five years, with a range of strategic projects established under that plan.

SHS Program contracts will be commissioned to 2031 under new five-year contracts commencing 1 July 2026. Homes NSW will work with local service providers through the commissioning process that is the least disruptive to allow continued service delivery.

Which programs are included in homelessness services commissioning for 2026?

Homelessness services commissioning covers the SHS Program and Homeless Youth Assistance Program (HYAP). This includes all current SHS Program contracts. It also includes former Service Support Fund (SSF) services which moved into the SHS Program in 2021.

Domestic Violence Response Enhancement (DVRE) services will be commissioned through the Homelessness Commissioning process as they remain connected with SHS contracts.

Separate to SHS Program commissioning, Homes NSW are reviewing a range of associated homelessness programs that were designed as pilots and initiatives. We are looking at how we can implement the key functions offered in these programs across the state in a more systematic way. More information will be available soon.

Domestic and family violence commissioning 

The DCJ Strategy, Policy and Commissioning (SPC) Branch is commissioning Domestic and Family Violence (DFV) contracts also expiring in June 2026, in parallel with the SHS Program. The commissioning process will include the following programs:

  • Specialist Workers for Children & Young People (SWCYP)
  • Staying Home Leaving Violence (SHLV)
  • Integrated Domestic & Family Violence Services (IDFVS).

The commissioning process for homelessness and DFV programs are being aligned to ensure the most streamlined and coordinated approach possible. For more information visit the Domestic and Family Violence Commissioning 2026 webpage. 

The approach for commissioning SHS and HYAP Programs

To ensure continuity while meeting NSW Government procurement requirements, Homes NSW will primarily use a direct negotiation approach. This approach enables minimal or no changes to the majority of contracts. A limited invited tender process may apply where a lead provider intends to end their SHS contract with DCJ.. In these scenarios, DCJ contract managers will work closely with  providers throughout this process.

Under the new agreements, there will be no reduction in funding, reflecting the NSW Government’s commitment to long term certainty for service providers and their staff.

Next steps

DCJ recently hosted information webinars for SHS and HYAP providers,  explaining the direct negotiation process and outlining available support and resources. Recordings of these sessions can be accessed on this webpage under ‘More information about commissioning’.

Timeframes for commissioning

By 23 December 2025, DCJ contract managers will email providers with the relevant documentation and a Fact Sheet to guide them through the negotiation process. The negotiations process will run from December 2025 through to 31 March 2026, allowing sufficient time to finalise contracts between April and May 2026, in order for new contracts to commence from 1 July  2026. This schedule considers other commissioning activities that providers may be involved in..

More information about commissioning

Guidance for the homelessness services commissioning 2026 process has been developed for service providers and partners – read more on our Homelessness Services Commissioning 2026 FAQ.

The FAQ resource will be updated regularly to respond to questions as more information becomes available.

For contract-specific questions, please contact your local Commissioning and Planning team.

Webinars:

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