Two South Australian public libraries are demonstrating how councils can play a vital role in supporting people experiencing homelessness by giving free access to qualified social workers, as part of Homelessness Week 2025.
City of Salisbury Council and City of Adelaide Council are leading the way, offering no-cost social work services to support vulnerable community members, particularly those facing housing insecurity, mental health challenges or social isolation.
The innovative programs are also backed by the Ending Homelessness Toolkit for Local Government, which provides practical guidance to councils looking to support people experiencing homelessness in their communities.
Developed by the Centre for Social Impact at Flinders University through LGA’s Local Government Research and Development Scheme, the toolkit provides real-world case studies on initiatives that can help end homelessness in communities.
LGASA President and City of Micham Mayor, Heather Holmes Ross said the toolkit was an invaluable resource to help all councils take practical action.
“As the closest level of government to the community, councils play a crucial role in supporting vulnerable residents,” Mayor Holmes-Ross said.
“Homelessness Week is a timely reminder that even small interactions, like social workers in libraries, can have a life-changing impact.”
At the Salisbury Community Hub, the social worker – who is employed by leading not-for-profit Sonder – provides support to people in need of housing, mental health services, financial counselling or emergency relief.
City of Salisbury Mayor, Gillian Aldridge OAM said the service provided vital services for some of the community’s most vulnerable people, including those experiencing homelessness.
“Libraries have always been places of learning and belonging, but for many in our community they’ve also become a place of refuge,” Mayor Aldridge said.
“This partnership with Sonder is about meeting people where they are by removing barriers and connecting them to the support they need. It’s a simple but powerful way councils can assist.”
Flinders University Deputy Director of the Centre for Social Impact, Associate Professor Selina Tually said the toolkit gives councils a roadmap to respond in ways that are practical, collaborative and grounded in evidence.
“Local councils provide a number of services and community-facing facilities that people experiencing homelessness can use when seeking support – and public libraries are a great example of this,” Prof Tually said.
“These places, and the people working within them, can provide a range of help to people experiencing or at risk of homelessness – from practical advice to assistance connecting with local homelessness services.”
For more information and to access the toolkit visit: Ending homelessness: a toolkit for local government | LGA South Australia.
