Guy is an Honorary Professor of Urban Housing and Homelessness. He has been involved in the area of precarious housing and homelessness for over three decades, initially as a practitioner and more recently as a researcher. Guy has extensive knowledge of existing homelessness research, current homelessness policies, and is well acquainted with the homelessness service system.
Drawing on innovative mix of methodologies including longitudinal studies, randomised controlled trials, as well as in-depth qualitative work, Guy's research investigates theoretical and applied questions relating to the dynamics of homelessness and housing. His research has contributed extensively to government policy and agency practice that address the housing and support needs of disadvantaged and low income households.
He has co-authored a number of books, over 80 reports and refereed papers, as well as 8 book chapters. He has served on numerous Government committees and advisory bodies, and is a regular presenter at public and policy forums. He has been awarded grants from the ARC and AHURI and has conducted numerous research projects with various industry partners including The Salvation Army, HomeGround Services, Sacred Heart Mission and Melbourne Central Mission.
Guy is recognized nationally and internationally as a leader in innovative policy and practice relevant research. He is currently an Honorary Principal Research Fellow at The Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, The University of Melbourne, and in 2015 spent 12 months in the US as a Visiting Scholar at the School of Social Policy and Practice, University of Pennsylvania.
Guy was the inaugural Director of the Unison Housing Research Lab at RMIT University, an industry led partnership that aims to address the ongoing issue of housing insecurity and homelessness in a way that looks at both the existing failings in the housing system and preventative measures to help alleviate disadvantage.
Guy's background in the homelessness sector has contributed to his ongoing engagement with a broad range of Industry partners.
He has been awarded over 20 research contracts with various industry partners including Unison Housing, The Salvation Army, HomeGround Services, Sacred Heart Mission and Melbourne Central Mission, as well as receiving grants from the ARC and AHURI.
UN sustainable development goals
1 No Poverty
10 Reduced Inequalities
Academic positions
Unison Professor
RMIT University & Unsion Housing
, Australia
Mar 2017 – Jan 2024
Visiting Research Fellow
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, United States
Apr 2015 – Apr 2016
Centre Director
RMIT University
Melbourne, Australia
Jan 2012 – Mar 2013
Senior Research Fellow
RMIT University
Centre for Applied Social Research
Melbourne, Australia
May 2008 – Dec 2011
AHURI Postdoctoral Research Fellow
RMIT Universiuty
, Australia
May 2005 – May 2008
PhD Student
RMIT University
, Australia
1 Feb 2001 – 30 May 2005
Supervisor projects
Caring, Commercial, and Conflicting Roles: Managing Tenancies in Social Housing
21 Apr 2020
Home as a site of ontological security for people who have experienced homelessness: an exploration of community housing as a source of stability, control and safety
1 Aug 2018
An Ethnographic Study of Two Mixed Tenure Sites in Melbourne
18 Jun 2018
Teaching interests
Housing, homelessness, substance abuse, stigma
Research interests
Policy and Administration, Sociology, Urban and Regional Planning, Design Practice and Management, Applied Economics, Social Work
Acknowledgement of Country
RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.