Homelessness Learning Forum 2025 (Main Forum)

Organised by New Hope Community Services, the Homelessness Learning Forum (HLF) brings together policymakers, social service practitioners, philanthropists, and advocates to have conversations on how to better support homeless persons in Singapore.

HLF is the platform in the social service sector to hear and learn from leading practitioners and people with lived experiences of homelessness. As a forum, participants have the opportunity to contribute in discussions and forge connections. In addition, HLF also offers learning journeys hosted by like-minded organisations and partners, providing participants with an exciting, first-hand insight into the latest available programmes and support for people experiencing homelessness.

Together, we exchange ideas, explore innovative solutions, and envision a future where every homeless person has the opportunity to thrive.

This year's theme is "Timely Steps, Lasting Impact: Addressing Homelessness at Life's Key Moments".

Since its inception in 2019, HLF has been a platform to reflect on progress, surface ground realities, and explore innovative responses to homelessness in Singapore. In recent years, we have seen promising strides - expanded shelter and housing typologies, a more coordinated ecosystem, and deeper partnerships across agencies. Yet, homelessness continues to evolve, shaped by diverse pathways, life transitions and structural vulnerabilities.

In 2025, we turn our attention upstream. This year's theme explores how early, life-stage-sensitive interventions can break the cycle of housing instability before it begins or worsens.

The complexity of homlessness today demands that we intervene not only at the point of crisis but earlier - during childhood, adolesences, early adulthood, and through major life transitions such as incarceration, hospitalisation, or retirement. Effective early intervention could mean identifying risk factors in youth without safe family support, supporting low-income adults navigating chronic illness, or helping older persons facing eviction due to isolation or financial strain.

Info: Lunch is provided.

Info: Synopsis: This keynote delves into different life stages where homelessness takes root and becomes entrenched. We will explore how long-term homelessness is not a static condition, but a dynamic process influenced by key life transitions extending from childhood adversities to adult crisis and systemic challenges in older age, as well as, turning points that mark significant breakthroughs along the life course. The keynote underscores how early intervention is crucial for preventing long-term homelessness and calls for actionable strategies for supporting individuals at critical junctures in their lives.

Info: Light refreshments is provided.

Host or Publisher New Hope Community Services