A unique education and research collaboration between RMIT University and Unison Housing

The Unison Housing Research Lab (Lab), run in partnership with RMIT University from 2017-2024, was a unique education and research collaboration established to inform housing and homelessness best practices and policy.

Research program

The Lab’s multi-disciplinary research program focused on creating new empirical and conceptual knowledge on:

• What actions could be taken to develop social housing that creates vibrant communities, improve tenancy sustainability and satisfaction, and maximise impact on tenants’ social, economic, and health outcomes.
• The effectiveness of homelessness program interventions.
• Approaches that help translate research into policy and practice.

The Lab’s research and education program was undertaken in collaboration with academics who were part of the Housing and Homelessness research cluster, other educational institutions, housing and welfare providers, and policymakers. The Lab focused on contributing to building Australia’s housing research capacity by supporting a team of PhD students, undertaking research in three priority areas: sustainability and satisfaction, program evaluation, and data-driven decision-making.