Formerly known as Queensland Public Interest Law Clearing House (QPILCH), LawRight’s Homelessness Law operates as a Community & Health Justice Partnership (CHJP) model. This approach embeds lawyers in frontline community and health settings to address the interconnected legal, health, and social issues experienced by people facing homelessness, financial hardship and housing insecurity.

Throughout their partnership with Mallesons, which began in 2002, the two organisations have sought to innovate to continue delivering better outcomes. “Since 2008, Homelessness Law has partnered with Mallesons to deliver a specialist pro bono legal service for children and young people facing homelessness across Queensland,” says Steve Grace, Director of LawRight's Homelessness Law. “Adopting continuous improvement principles, this embedded partnership has evolved to responsively meet the needs of our shared clients, implement best-practice service design, and to respond to lived-experience insights.”

From supporting LawRight to develop hybrid service delivery during the COVID pandemic to working collaboratively to raising awareness among leaders across Queensland, Mallesons have always sought new ways to support LawRight’s work and impact. In total, our lawyers have dedicated more than 13,700 pro bono hours to projects and matters they undertake.

One of our most recent collaborations is the Stable Futures for Young Queenslanders project, delivered in partnership with the Brisbane Youth Service and Mater Young Adult Health Centre. Stable Futures provides specialised, trauma-informed representation to Queenslanders aged 12–26 facing homelessness. “Stable Futures empowers young Queenslanders to build essential life skills, effectively navigate complex systems and resolve legal issues before they escalate,” says Steve. “We share practical legal capabilities that empower young people to achieve their personal goals and build their long-term capacity to thrive.”

Experiences of family violence and coercive control can be a key driver for homelessness experienced by women like Jasmin, one of 600+ clients Stable Futures has supported. Left with substantial loans in her name as a result of financial abuse, Stable Futures worked with her bank to stop pursuing her for alleged debts and helped her understand her rights and responsibilities in her finances. Working with Jasmin and hundreds of other young people like her, Stable Futures has secured access to $1,730,000 in victim support payments and resolved $656,000 in consumer debts since 2020.

Jasmin’s situation is one example of hundreds of young people able to seek support, and support themselves with legal literacy, knowledge and confidence thanks to the Stable Futures program and partnership. “Working closely together, young Queenslanders receive the significant benefits of the combined expertise of Mallesons volunteer lawyers and Homelessness Law’s staff lawyers,” says Steve. “Collectively this ensures that more clients can safely avoid or exit homelessness.”