“The rising cost of living is pushing more people towards crisis,” says Paula Hughes, Head of Community Programs at Justice Connect. “For renters already under pressure, one unresolved legal problem can be enough to put their housing at risk, making early support more important than ever.”

Since 2001, Justice Connect (formerly the Public Interest Law Clearing House) and Mallesons have worked in partnership through the Melbourne-based Homeless Law program. “Homeless Law grew from a clear understanding that for people experiencing homelessness or deep disadvantage, it was not enough to wait for them to come to us,” says Paula. “Mallesons lawyers play a critical role in helping us reach people at risk of homelessness earlier, through holistic outreach and trauma-informed support that can stop legal problems from escalating into crisis.”

In FY26 alone, Homeless Law prevented 338 evictions into homelessness, the highest annual figure in the program’s history. “The impact of this work reaches well beyond the immediate legal problem,” says Sally Kenyon, Senior Lawyer at Justice Connect. “Keeping someone safely housed can change the course of their life and help them avoid the stress, instability, financial hardship, health and wellbeing impacts, and family disruption that often come with losing their home. Our partnership is not only helping people resolve legal issues, but also helping them hold onto safety, stability, and dignity.”

This positive impact isn’t only experienced by Homeless Law clients. Jack Polis is one of many Mallesons’ solicitors who have worked with Justice Connect, conducting intake calls, drafting legal submissions to prevent evictions and advising on housing issues and consumer debt matters. “Being part of the resolution of a long running, complex tenancy matter as part of the Homeless Law Clinic has been one of the most significant experiences of my professional life,” he says. “It impressed on me the importance of considered advice, even in difficult circumstances, to allow clients to engage with the legal system in a more therapeutic way that addresses underlying concerns beyond specific legal issues.”

Jack’s insight speaks to the second dimension of positive change coming from the partnership. By turning individual matters into systemic insights, Justice Connect can advocate for change to reduce the disadvantages and risks many of their clients face. “Through Mallesons’ work in our clinics, we can see patterns in the problems clients are facing, and where broader change is needed,” says Paula. “Those frontline insights strengthen our advocacy and law reform work, helping us push for changes that improve outcomes beyond individual matters. Together, we keep learning from what clients are experiencing, so we can advocate for system-wide changes that stop homelessness before it starts.”